Whitman Fire Department

Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Make a Family Emergency Plan During Emergency Preparedness Month

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 20, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Make a Family Emergency Plan During Emergency Preparedness Month

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno and the Whitman Fire Department would like to offer residents tips about making an emergency plan to prepare your family for an emergency during Emergency Preparedness Month.

September has been declared by Governor Charlie Baker to be Emergency Preparedness Month. Residents are encouraged to use resources provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to prepare themselves, their family, their property and their community for an emergency or natural disaster.

Families should have an emergency plan prepared for all members of the household to know what to do, how to find each other and how to communicate during an emergency situation.

Emergency plans should include everyone in your household including individuals with access and functional needs, seniors and children. Consider familiarizing yourself with the emergency plans that are in place at your workplace, children’s school or daycare or other places where your family spends time.

“In the midst of Emergency Preparedness Month, we would like to remind everyone to make and practice a family emergency plan and know what emergency plans exist in places where your family spends time,” Chief Grenno said. “In case of an emergency, it’s crucial to have a thorough and rehearsed plan in place.”

MEMA offers several tips to make an emergency plan for your family:

Establish Meeting Locations and Emergency Contact Plans

  • Select two family meeting locations where your family can reunite after a disaster. Choose one close to home and one farther away in case you are asked to evacuate or cannot return to the area.
  • Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to serve as your family’s emergency contact. After a disaster, it may be easier to call long distance to unaffected areas.
  • Provide every family member with the name, address and phone number of the emergency contact and make sure each family member has a cellphone or a prepaid phone card.
  • Inform your emergency contact of any family member’s special needs or medical issues.
  • List emergency contacts in cellphones as “ICE” (in case of emergency), which will make it easier for emergency management personnel to contact the right person in case an emergency responder needs to make a call on your behalf.
  • Identify alternative communication methods: texting or social media can also be effective tools to let friends and family know your location and status during an emergency.

Plan How to Evacuate

  • Identify and practice how you will exit your home.
  • Establish possible evacuation routes to ensure you are able to get to your designated meeting location(s).
  • Identify available modes of transportation. Make arrangements with family, neighbors or friends if you don’t have personal transportation.
  • Review tips to safely evacuate.

Plan How to Shelter in Place

  • Designate safe room(s) within your home. They should have as few windows or doors as possible and access to television, radio and telephones or cell service.
  • Make sure you have necessary supplies and can access your emergency kit.
  • If you receive medical treatments or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home for a period of time.
  • Review tips to safely shelter in place.

Practice Your Plan

  • Practice your emergency plan at least two to three times a year with all members of your family.
  • To practice your plan, test your emergency communications plan, assemble at your meeting locations and practice your evacuation routes. Update your plan with any changes, if necessary, after you practice.

Emergency Preparedness for Pets and Animals

  • Your evacuation plan should include pets. Since you will not know how long you will be gone, you must take your pets with you.
  • Be sure necessary pet supplies are included in your emergency kit. This may include: collars, leashes, harnesses, cages and/or carriers to transport and house your pets; medications and medical records; food, water and bowls; familiar items for comfort such as toys, treats or blankets; cat litter, litter pan and litter scoop; updated photo of your pet in case you are separated; and information on medical conditions, behavior problems and veterinarian contact information.
  • Your plan should identify possible pet-friendly locations, including: a friend or relative’s home; temporary shelter facilities in your community; pet-friendly hotels, motels, campgrounds or boarding/kennel facilities both inside and outside your local area; or veterinarians or local animal shelters which may provide emergency shelter for pets in a disaster.
  • Large animals and exotic pets may require additional preparedness steps. Consider transport, personnel and other supplies or equipment that may be needed to care for these animals.
  • Make sure your pets wear collars with their current license and rabies tags. Attach your telephone number and/or the address of your evacuation site. If your pet has a microchip, be sure that the information is updated to reflect your current phone number and address.
  • During or after an emergency leash your pets when they go outside and keep them close. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused or lost.

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Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Build an Emergency Kit During Emergency Preparedness Month

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Monday, Sept. 9, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Build an Emergency Kit During Emergency Preparedness Month

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno and the members of Whitman Fire Department would like to offer residents tips about how to build a kit of essential supplies for use in the event of an emergency during Emergency Preparedness Month.

September has been declared by Governor Charlie Baker to be Emergency Preparedness Month. Residents are encouraged to use resources provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to prepare themselves, their family, their property and their community for the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

“Emergency kits should contain items that can help you in all types of emergencies, large or small,” Chief Grenno said. “Hurricane Dorian’s impact in the south is an important reminder that residents should do everything they can to prepare.”

MEMA recommends that emergency kits include essential items that will provide your family members with basic necessities for up to three days in an emergency event.

Essential Items to Include in an Emergency Kit

  • Water: Bottled water (one gallon per person/per day for at least three days), water purification tablets
  • Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that do not need cooking (ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits or vegetables, or juices, protein or granola bars, cereal, peanut butter, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, baby food and comfort foods)
  • Tools and Supplies: Manual can opener, radio (powered by battery or hand crank), flashlight or lantern, extra batteries, cell phone with charger, wrench, pliers and other basic tools
  • Personal Items: Prescription medications (two-week supply), personal hygiene items, eyeglasses, contact lenses, dentures, extra batteries or supplies for medical equipment, change of clothes, sturdy shoes
  • Documents: Insurance policies, bank account records, identification cards (IDs), medical information and other copies of important documents
  • Money: Extra cash and traveler’s checks (ATMs may not work during a power outage)
  • Other Items:  First-aid kit, emergency whistle, waterproof matches/lighter, local area maps, sleeping bags or blankets, comfort items such as books or games
  • Also consider: A watch or clock, disposable kitchenware, duct tape, plastic sheeting or tarp to protect against the elements

Residents should also ensure their emergency kit is specific to their needs. Families with unique needs such as infants, pets, family members with disabilities or family members with specific medical needs should consider any additional supplies needed for basic survival.

MEMA also offers an Emergency Kit Checklist to assist families in building a kit of their own.

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Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Fire Inside Condominium Garage

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 19, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Fire Inside Condominium Garage

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy J. Grenno reports that the Whitman Fire Department extinguished a fire inside a condominium garage Monday morning.

At approximately 11:10 a.m., Whitman firefighters were dispatched to 877 Auburnville Way, inside the Village at Auburnville community for residents age 55 and older.

Upon arrival firefighters located a fire inside of the garage with the sprinkler system suppressing the flames and keeping the fire from spreading rapidly throughout the building.

Firefighters quickly used a hose line to extinguish the fire and overhauled the area to ensure that the flames had not spread elsewhere.

A female resident, who is wheelchair bound, had been evacuated by her home health aide to the first floor porch and was then moved from the porch away from the home by bystanders and responding firefighters. The woman was uninjured but was evaluated by a Halifax Fire ambulance crew on scene as a precaution.

The fire and smoke caused approximately $50,000 in damage to the garage. The home itself had minimal smoke and odor damage.

The resident will be able to return to her home once the fire alarm and sprinkler system is repaired, which is expected to be done today.

The incident was the second fire that Whitman firefighters responded to recently in which a sprinkler system helped to prevent potentially devastating damage. On July 24, the department extinguished a fire at the Bostonian Loft Apartments, 7 Marble St.

“The unit where this fire occurred was one of four attached condos in same building,” Chief Grenno said. “If it weren’t for the sprinkler system suppressing the fire until we arrived, the fire could have spread far more quickly and done a lot more damage. This is the second fire we’ve had in less than a month where a sprinkler system helped to keep a fire at bay until firefighters could arrive on scene. Having a properly functioning and regularly maintained sprinkler system can and does save lives.”

The fire was caused by careless disposal of a cigarette into a trash barrel in the garage.

Whitman Fire was assisted on scene by Abington Fire Tower 1 and Hanson Fire Engine 3.

 

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Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Fire Inside Apartment Building

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Fire Inside Apartment Building

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno reports that the Whitman Fire Department extinguished a fire inside an apartment late Wednesday night, July 24.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, the Whitman Fire Department received a sprinkler water flow alarm at the Bostonian Loft Apartments, 7 Marble St., inside a first floor apartment.

Upon arrival, firefighters came upon a grease fire on the stove of the apartment. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

Through the subsequent investigation, it was determined that a resident of the apartment had attempted to extinguish the grease fire with water, causing it to rapidly intensify and extend to the kitchen cabinets.

The fire caused the sprinkler system to activate in the kitchen, which helped to keep the fire from spreading until firefighters arrived.

No one was injured in the incident. However, the family living in the apartment, a husband and wife and two children, were displaced due to the fire, water and smoke damage to the apartment. The American Red Cross responded to assist the family. Approximately $30,000 in damage was done to the apartment.

Firefighters used smoke ejectors to clear the heavy smoke from the building and residents were allowed to return back to their apartments at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The fire was determined to be accidental.

Members of the Hanson Fire Department responded to provide station coverage for Whitman while the scene was active.

Chief Grenno would like to use this opportunity to remind residents to never use water to attempt to extinguish a grease fire. The reaction will cause the fire to intensify and spread faster. Instead, grease fires should be covered with a metal lid or smothered with baking soda or salt. Always call 911 in the event of a fire that is out of control.

He would also like to remind residents to always evacuate a building that has the fire alarm sounding. Several residents of the apartment building did not evacuate, despite an active fire in the building.

“Thankfully the sprinkler system activated and was able to contain the fire to the kitchen area,” Chief Grenno said. “I want to commend our firefighters for quickly putting out the flames. This is a very large building with several apartments and we were able to successfully contain it to the one unit.”

 

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