Attleboro Fire Department

Official Website

Archives for January 2019

Attleboro Firefighter Richard Whitney Named Paramedic of the Year by Local EMS Council

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Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union St.,
Attleboro, MA 02703

For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 28, 2019

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

Attleboro Firefighter Richard Whitney Named Paramedic of the Year by Local EMS Council

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance is pleased to announce that Attleboro Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Whitney was named Paramedic of the Year by Bristol North EMS at an awards ceremony last week.

Bristol North EMS held their second annual awards conference at Plainridge Casino in Plainville on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Firefighter Whitney was honored with the Captain Jack White Paramedic of the Year award for his exceptional service and care provided to the residents of northern Bristol County.

“Rich’s calm demeanor,and proven skills and experience have been a valuable asset to our department and we congratulate him on this prestigious recognition by Bristol North EMS,” Deputy Chief Tim Birch said. “With over 10 years of experience in EMS, Rich is currently mentoring the newer paramedics and any students that cross his path that are eager to learn. His positive attitude and dedication to quality patient care are the ideal qualities we look for in a paramedic.”

One example of Firefighter Whitney’s consistent and excellent work happened in October of 2016 when he responded to a motorcycle crash where a 63-year-old man was seriously injured. Upon arrival, Firefighter Whitney quickly determined that the patient was suffering from a collapsed lung, in addition to having multiple fractures.

While en route to the hospital, Firefighter Whitney continued to provide medical care to the patient, including performing a thoracostomy, which involves using a needle to insert a thin plastic tube into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, to help with the patient’s breathing.

Firefighter Whitney’s actions likely helped to save the man’s life.

He has been with the department since 2015.

About Bristol North EMS

Bristol North EMS is an EMS council made up of local fire departments and public and private ambulance services in partnership with three hospitals in northern Bristol County – Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and Morton Hospital in Taunton. The group offers training sessions and instructors for EMS professionals in the region.

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Attleboro Fire Department Reminds Residents of Ice Safety Tips

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Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union St.,
Attleboro, MA 02703

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019

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

Attleboro Fire Department Reminds Residents of Ice Safety Tips

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department would like to remind residents to be cognizant of thin ice as temperatures continue to fluctuate.

Even despite the extreme cold in the early part of this week, the Attleboro Fire Department warns that it may be unsafe to walk, skate or fish on the ice.

“Even though the temperature has been very cold these past few days, we always say that the safest place to go out on the ice is at a rink,” Chief Lachance said.

Chief Lachance would like to provide these tips to residents should they decide to go out on a body of water with ice:

Thin Ice

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs says ice should always be measured in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice two inches thick or less should be avoided completely. Ice with a depth of four inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or other activities on foot. Five inches of ice is recommended for snowmobiles or ATVs. Eight to 12 inches is necessary for a small car, while 12 to 15 inches of ice is necessary for trucks.

General Ice and Cold Water Safety

  • Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
  • Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 instead.
  • New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decay, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
  • Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing.
  • Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
  • Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally 15 percent weaker.
  • Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only one inch thick 10 feet away.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through Ice

  • Reach-Throw-Go: If someone falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.) If this does not work, go for help before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
  • If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

If you have any questions, call the Attleboro Fire Department at 508-222-2110. If you feel that someone may be in danger, dial 911.

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Attleboro Fire Department Provides Safety Tips Ahead of Two Upcoming Snowstorms

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Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union St.,
Attleboro, MA 02703

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019

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

Attleboro Fire Department Provides Safety Tips Ahead of Two Upcoming Snowstorms

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance would like to provide Attleboro residents with safety tips and precautions ahead of two snowstorms that are expected to effect the region on Friday and over the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, Attleboro is expected to see a light snowstorm beginning early Friday morning with accumulation of less than an inch of snow. With temperatures in the 20s and 30s in the morning, the snow could turn to rain by Friday afternoon with a high temperature of 40 degrees predicted. The morning commute could be impacted by the storm and drivers should use caution on the roads.

A larger storm is predicted over the weekend with as much as 7-9 inches of snow forecast to fall from Saturday night into Sunday. Heavy snow is likely to change to an icy mix and then to rain, mainly across the southeast part of the state. There is a risk of strong wind gusts inland and coastal flooding.

This storm is likely to be followed by a flash freeze beginning late afternoon Sunday into Sunday night, with bitter cold air anticipated on Monday. A high of 12 degrees and a low of 7 degrees is expected.

“We ask residents to check in on their elderly or at risk neighbors before and after these two storms to make sure they are doing well,” Chief Lachance said. “These being the first two storms of the new year we wanted to provide residents with some safety tips as a reminder of some simple steps folks can take before, during and after a snowstorm.”

BEFORE A STORM

  • It is always a good idea to have extra batteries in the house. Residents should always be prepared for power outages and stock up on batteries for flashlights or battery powered lanterns. If using candles, there should be a 3 foot ring of safety and be sure to keep them away from anything flammable or combustible.
  • Keep cell phones, laptops and tablets charged as much as possible. Consider an external battery for your devices.
  • Neighbors should talk with one another and set up plans to assist those who may be at risk and/or in need of help.

DURING A STORM

  • Stay off the roads during periods of snow and sleet. If there is a plowable amount of snow, give plow and sand/salt trucks the space they need to operate.
  • If power goes out during the storm, contact National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 to report an outage.
  • To report a gas leak, call 911. Residents can also contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-688-6160 to report a disruption of service.
  • If you have an emergency, call 911.

AFTER A STORM

  • Do not go near or drive over any downed power lines.
  • Clear snow from any gas vents attached to your home.
  • Assist the fire department by shoveling out any hydrants near your home.
  • Check in on your elderly or at risk family members and neighbors.
  • During a power outage, never run generators indoors or in garages. Aim exhaust away from the home, and do not run generators near HVAC intake pipes.
  • Do not use space heaters while sleeping.
  • Never use your oven as a heat source.

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Attleboro Fire Department Responds to Serious Rollover Crash

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Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union St.,
Attleboro, MA 02703

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019

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

Attleboro Fire Department Responds to Serious Rollover Crash

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance reports that the Attleboro Fire Department responded to a serious motor vehicle crash early Thursday morning where two people were injured.

Shortly before 1 a.m., Attleboro Fire responded to the intersection of Thatcher Street and South Main Street for a report of a rollover crash.

Upon arrival, firefighters came upon a Jaguar sedan convertible that had crashed and come to rest on its roof.

A woman passenger, believed to be in her 30s, was trapped in the back seat of the vehicle and was unconscious. 

Firefighters used a hydraulic extrication rescue tool to free the woman from the vehicle. Due to the heavy damage and the vehicle being on its roof, it took firefighters about 20 minutes to safely free the woman.

She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with what are believed to be life threatening injuries.

A male driver, also in his late 30s, was able to get himself out from under the vehicle before firefighters arrived on scene. The man was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

The man and woman were the only occupants of the vehicle and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Attleboro Police also responded to close off the roads and investigate the cause of the crash.

 Both roads were closed for more than an hour while crews worked to assist the victims and investigate the crash. The roads have since been reopened.

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Attleboro Fire Department Receives Grants to Support Fire Education Programs

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Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union St.,
Attleboro, MA 02703

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019

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

Attleboro Fire Department Receives Grants to Support Fire Education Programs

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance is pleased to announce that the Attleboro Fire Department has been awarded two grants that will help support the department’s ongoing Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) programs.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services awarded the Attleboro Fire Department grants of $5,454 for its S.A.F.E. Program and an additional $2,800 for its Senior S.A.F.E. Program.

The S.A.F.E. Program is a state initiative designed to provide resources to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The program aims to enable students to recognize fire hazards and teach key safety behaviors that should be used anytime a child comes into contact with a fire. Since the S.A.F.E. program’s inception in 1995, the average annual number of child deaths caused by a fire has fallen by 74 percent in Massachusetts.

Senior S.A.F.E. is a similar program that was created to support fire safety education specifically for older adults, who are most at risk of dying in a fire in Massachusetts. The program builds on the success of the original S.A.F.E. program and helps forge a connection between fire departments and a variety of senior support agencies working in their communities.

The funds will be used to pay for S.A.F.E. programming in the city’s schools and also for Attleboro’s older population through the Attleboro Council on Aging.

“The S.A.F.E. programs are a vital way for our firefighters to meet and speak directly with some of the members of our community in order to teach them valuable information that has been proven to save lives,” Chief Lachance said. “We are thankful to the Department of Fire Services for their continued support as we continue our fire education programs in the city.”

 

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Mission Statement

The Attleboro Fire Department exists to serve the community by providing a team of highly‐trained, compassionate, professional first responders dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of life and protection of property.  We provide this assistance utilizing a comprehensive all‐hazards approach that includes fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention, emergency medical services, and public education.

City of Attleboro Seal
Attleboro MA Fire Patch

Attleboro Fire Department

Chief Scott T. Lachance

100 Union Street
Attleboro, MA 02703

Email: [email protected]