Shrewsbury Fire

Shrewsbury Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona and Emergency Management Director Steve Rocco are recommending a series of precautions this Atlantic Hurricane Season in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Saturday, June 1 and will end on November 30. Historically, hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September have had the greatest impact on New England communities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near normal hurricane season this year, which would produce between nine and 15 storms. Between two and four of those storms are predicted to be major hurricanes.

“Creating an emergency plan, assembling an emergency kit and signing up for emergency alerts doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does make a huge difference in the event of a major storm,” Chief Vuona said. “There is a lot to account for in a hurricane, from severe wind to flooding, and having a plan is important.”

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has several safety tips for residents in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm in our area:

  • Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts.
  • Develop a family emergency plan by establishing meeting locations, creating an emergency contact plan, planning how to evacuate and learning how to shelter in place. Practice your plan with your entire family, and make sure the plan accounts for individuals who have access needs, seniors, children and pets.
  • Acquaint yourself with the emergency plans at places where your family spends considerable time, such as your workplace or your children’s school.
  • Those receiving medical treatment or home health services can work with a medical provider to learn how to maintain care in the event of a hurricane that requires evacuation.
  • Create an emergency kit. Individuals with young children should pack necessities such as diapers, wipes, formula and baby food. Those with pets should pack a collar, leash, harness, crate, food, bowls, current photo, license and medical information.
  • Maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check their batteries.
  • Contemplate purchasing a generator. If you do, be sure to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions to use it safely. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
  • Take photos or videos of your possessions to create a record for insurance purposes.
  • Prepare your home if a storm is coming by securing outdoor objects, clearing rain gutters, covering windows with shutters or plywood (do not use tape), turn off propane tanks that aren’t being used, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, clear nearby catch basins, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood, and remove any boats from the water.
  • Do not go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Recognizes Emergency Medical Staff During EMS Week

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Recognizes Emergency Medical Staff During EMS Week

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona and EMS Coordinator Linda Gosselin are pleased to announce that the Shrewsbury Fire Department honored its emergency medical personnel last week as part of national EMS week.

This year’s EMS Week — held from May 19-25 — is the 45th annual celebration of the work of emergency medical practitioners who are on the front lines protecting residents in their communities when emergencies arise.

Emergency medical calls make up the vast majority of the ones that the Shrewsbury Fire Department responds to in a given year, further emphasizing the invaluable role its EMS providers play on a daily basis. Last week alone, 63 of the 88 calls for service the department answered were medical related.

“Our EMS staff work long hours and display a tireless dedication to the wellbeing of they residents they serve,” Gosselin said. “They display quick thinking, professional expertise, bravery and so many more invaluable qualities on a daily basis and we owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

The Shrewsbury Fire Department’s 36 emergency medical professionals were honored with an official proclamation by Chief Vuona EMS Coordinator Gosselin recognizing their myriad contributions to the department and community.

“There’s not enough we can say or do to thank our EMS workers for the extraordinary work they do,” Chief Vuona said. “They are an essential component of our efforts to serve the people of Shrewsbury and protect their health and safety,”

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Shrewsbury Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Fire at Walgreens

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Fire at Walgreens

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona reports that the Shrewsbury Fire Department extinguished a fire at Walgreens last night. 

At 8:40 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a report of smoke in the building at Walgreens, 225 Boston Turnpike. Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke inside the store, but determined that the building’s sprinkler system had kept the fire from becoming more serious. 

Crews made a quick attack and extinguished the flames in approximately 10 minutes. There was an extensive amount of fire and smoke damage to merchandise inside the store, but no structural damage to the building. All occupants were able to safely exit the building. 

The business was expected to be closed today to accommodate the clean-up effort. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Commemorates 9/11 Anniversary

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Commemorates 9/11 Anniversary

SHREWSBURY — The Shrewsbury Fire Department set aside time this morning to join with members of the community in commemorating the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Firefighters, residents and local leaders joined together to pay tribute to the thousands lost in the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and western Pennsylvania in 2001.

The ceremony, held this morning at fire headquarters, commemorated the anniversary with a moment of silence and prayers for the victims — including the hundreds of New York City firefighters and police officers who gave their lives responding to the crisis.

“We can never let time dull the pain of that tragic day, so it’s an honor for us to remember the legacy of those we lost 17 years ago today,” Chief James Vuona said. “Additionally, as Americans, we are forever grateful to the continued effort of our military personnel protecting our freedom around the world.”

In addition to members of the Shrewsbury Police and Fire Departments, the ceremony was attended by State Rep. Hannah Kane, Selectmen Moria Miller and Beth Casavant and Town Manager Kevin Mizikar.

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