Shrewsbury

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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Photos: Shrewsbury Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Basement Fire

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003

Shrewsbury Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Basement Fire

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona reports that the Shrewsbury Fire Department made quick work of a basement fire on Friday morning, thanks to an aggressive attack by the first arriving firefighters.

Firefighters responded to 559 South St. at 10:51 a.m. after receiving a call about an activated smoke detector. Engine 3 was the first fire company on scene and found the building locked. At first, firefighters did not see anything out of the ordinary after walking around the perimeter of the home. Then a firefighter reported smoke coming from one corner of the basement.

Firefighters forced their way into the home and found a heavy smoke condition in the basement that resulted in very poor visibility inside. Firefighters soon located a fire in a kitchen area of the basement. Engine 3’s firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and it was determined that while there was damage to the kitchen area, the fire had not spread to the rest of the home.

A family dog was located hiding under a bed on the first floor of the house, and firefighters safely brought the dog to a neighbor.

No one was injured. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Shrewsbury Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office. Firefighters on scene noted the presence of a toe kick heater in the kitchen in their incident reports.

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Extinguishes Two Fires

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 30, 2018

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

Shrewsbury Fire Department Extinguishes Two Fires

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona reports that the Shrewsbury Fire Department responded to two fires in town that occurred less than an hour apart this morning.

At 9:54 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the area of Memorial Drive between Gold Street and Hyde Farm Road for a report of a dump truck fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered a 10-wheel dump truck with a fire burning inside the cab of the vehicle. 

Firefighters immediately initiated an attack and quickly extinguished the fire. An on-scene investigation indicated that the the fire was electrical in nature and originated underneath the vehicle’s dashboard. There were no injuries. 

Then, at 10:41 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to 37 Westwood Drive for a report of a building fire. While en route, dispatchers informed first responders that everyone had safely exited the home. Upon arrival, firefighters investigated the area and observed smoke showing from two vents on the home’s roof. 

Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations was requested to the scene to cut power to the home, and firefighters subsequently extinguished a small fire inside the attic insulation. The fire and smoke remained isolated to the home’s attic. A Northborough firefighter who is a certified fire investigator was on scene and, along with Chief Vuona, quickly determined that the fire was electrical in nature. 

The residents were able to return to the home once firefighters cleared the scene.

“Today’s responses show just how unpredictable firefighting can be on any given day,” Chief Vuona said. “I want to commend all of our firefighters for their prompt and efficient responses to both of these fires despite such a short window of time in between incidents.” 

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