Attleboro Fire Department

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Attleboro Fire Department Provides Severe Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias

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ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department recommend that residents take the necessary safety precautions to prepare themselves for potentially serious storm impacts as Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to impact New England later today.

Isaias is expected to arrive to Massachusetts in the late afternoon and continue into tonight. A tropical storm warning is currently in effect for Bristol County. The peak wind forecast is 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. There is a limited chance of heavy rain and flooding, and there is potential for a few tornadoes. Showers and thunderstorms may occur and widespread power outages are possible.

Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point and they should monitor the local forecast throughout the day. Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during, and after emergencies.

The Attleboro Fire Department suggests that all residents follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

  • Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and two feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

 MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity despite an outage. Generators should always be kept outside since they emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can quickly accumulate if indoors.

Additional safety precautions residents should follow include:

  • Do not go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
  • Checking flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working.
  • Fully charging your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensuring that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages.
    • Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
  • Prepare your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding.
  • Being prepared by packing a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.  
  • Resources for local residential services:
    • National Grid: Report outages online or call 1-800-465-1212
    • Columbia Gas gas emergency line: 1-800-525-8222
    • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
    • Comcast/Xfinity: 1-800-XFINITY

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Attleboro Fire Department Provides Update on Coronavirus Situation

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ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and Attleboro Firefighters Local 848 President Paul Jacques would like to provide an update on the novel coronavirus situation within the Attleboro Fire Department.

On Monday, March 30, the department announced that one firefighter had tested positive for COVID-19 and others were awaiting their test results. As of today, six firefighters and one dispatcher had negative test results. Two additional Firefighters have been tested and are awaiting test results.

The firefighter that tested positive remains in isolation and those that are awaiting test results are currently self-quarantining, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.

“This remains a very fluid situation and we are monitoring things closely as we await more test results,” Chief Lachance said. “While our department has been impacted, it will in no way affect the service we provide our residents and community members.”

Since March 14, the Attleboro Fire Department has transported 53 patients that were screened as potential COVID-19 patients. As of today, 12 of those patients have been confirmed as having a positive case, while others are still awaiting test results.

“The need to immediately identify and isolate positive cases of our firefighters is crucial as our members are on the front lines of this pandemic,” Local 848 President Jacques said. “Local 848 will remain dedicated to this incredibly important task of serving our residents in need while also taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.”

The department announced earlier this week that it is limiting public access to the stations to outside visitors for general, walk-in business until further notice.

In an effort to continue practicing social distancing, all citizens are asked to make all non-emergency reports and inquiries to the department by telephone or email, rather than in person.

The Attleboro Fire Department can be reached at 774-203-1922 or at its website https://attleborofire.com/.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency.

Safety Measures & Precautions

In addition to limiting public access to the lobby, the Attleboro Fire Department has taken the following actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

  • Practicing social distancing while at work and at home
  • Increasing the cleaning and sanitation of common touch points and surfaces
  • Encouraging proper self-care and hygiene including frequently washing hands, ensuring bathrooms are stocked with hand washing materials and making cleaning products and sanitizers available
  • Ensuring all personnel are fit-tested for masks
  • Reviewing Contagious Diseases and Pandemic Planning and Response policies
  • Reviewing the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Modifying medical response protocol
  • Ensuring the department has ample supplies of PPE for medical responses

These temporary measures will be reviewed on a continuous basis. When changes are necessary, they will be communicated to the public.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

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Attleboro Fire Department Announces Positive Coronavirus Case

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ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and Attleboro Firefighters Local 848 President Paul Jacques confirmed today that the City of Attleboro has been notified by Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) officials that one Attleboro firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19.

Attleboro Health Department officials were recently notified by DPH of the need for five firefighters to self-quarantine after coming in close contact with individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Over the weekend, several firefighters were tested and are still awaiting results. One firefighter’s test results came back positive for COVID-19 today. The firefighter has been isolated and is being supported and monitored according to public health guidelines. The results of the others that were tested will be announced. Under State and Federal privacy laws no further information is available about the individuals.

Close contacts (defined as someone who has spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of a positive case) have been identified, contacted by health officials, and are adhering to DPH orders for quarantine.

The quarantined close contacts will be monitored on a daily basis by local health officials while they are in quarantine to limit the risk of spread.

The Attleboro Fire Department will continue to respond to all emergencies and members are taking proper precautions when coming in contact with residents and community members.

Chief Lachance stresses that this remains a very fluid and rapidly evolving situation and the department is working closely with Attleboro Firefighters Local 848, Mayor Paul Heroux’s Office, Attleboro Health Department officials and other city leaders. The Attleboro Board of Health and Attleboro Fire Department will follow CDC guidelines and remain in contact with the individuals affected.

“We are doing our best as a department to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 among our firefighters and personnel, while still providing the same level of service to the residents and community members we serve,” Chief Lachance said. “We wish a speedy recovery for the firefighter who tested positive and will continue to stay on top of this situation as it unfolds.”

“Our members are on the front lines of this pandemic,” Local 848 President Jacques said. “The circumstances experienced today are examples of the sacrifice and dedication our members show on a daily basis. The health and safety of our firefighters, their families and the residents of Attleboro remains our top priority.”

The department announced today that it is limiting public access to the stations to outside visitors for general, walk-in business until further notice.

In an effort to continue practicing social distancing, all citizens are asked to make all non-emergency reports and inquiries to the department by telephone or email, rather than in person.

The Attleboro Fire Department can be reached at 774-203-1922 or at its website https://attleborofire.com/.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency.

Safety Measures & Precautions

In addition to limiting public access to the lobby, the Attleboro Fire Department has taken the following actions:

  • Practicing social distancing while at work and at home
  • Increasing the cleaning and sanitation of common touch points and surfaces
  • Encouraging proper self-care and hygiene including frequently washing hands, ensuring bathrooms are stocked with hand washing materials and making cleaning products and sanitizers available
  • Ensuring all personnel are fit-tested for masks
  • Reviewing Contagious Diseases and Pandemic Planning and Response policies
  • Reviewing the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Modifying medical response protocol
  • Ensuring the department has ample supplies of PPE for medical responses

These temporary measures will be reviewed on a continuous basis. When changes are necessary, they will be communicated to the public.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

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Attleboro Fire Department Restricting Public Access to Fire Stations in Response to COVID-19

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To Visitors of the Attleboro Fire Stations,

Effective immediately the City of Attleboro Fire Department will restrict visitors to all Fire Stations. This restriction is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and is aimed at limiting both the inadvertent contamination of fire stations and limiting the potential for transmission of infectious material to visitors. Accordingly, restrictions will be placed on outside visitors for events such as fire station tours, public education events and general business.

The City of Attleboro Fire Department Fire Prevention Division is working in conjunction with the Attleboro Department of Municipal Inspections to continue Fire Prevention application, permitting and inspection activities. Changes will be made to the process of applying and obtaining permits for both commercial and residential activities. Additional information regarding these new processes will be made available. The Department will continue to assess our ability to safely and effectively continue these Fire Prevention activities and may determine that a suspension is necessary in the future.

Any visitor who must come into the Fire Station will be asked their health status and may not be allowed to come inside if it is determined that they pose a health risk. Whenever possible, business will be conducted at the door. Any visitor coming to the fire station is asked to maintain appropriate social distancing of 6-feet from the door when interacting with members of the Department.

We apologize for any inconvenience these changes will place on the public and we thank you for your understanding in helping to keep your Firefighters safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Chief Scott Lachance

Attleboro Fire Department Rescues Resident from Second Floor Window During Three-Alarm House Fire Thursday

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ATTLEBORO — Fire Chief Scott Lachance reports that the Attleboro Fire Department responded to a three-alarm house fire at a home on South Main Street early this morning, rescuing a resident from a second floor window during the process.

At approximately 3 a.m. Thursday, March 19, firefighters responded to a 911 call for a fire at 198 South Main St. Engine 1-Ladder 1 was the first to respond to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews saw heavy smoke coming from the home and began an aggressive attack. A man, the lone occupant of the home, was seen waving for help from a second floor window, and was rescued by an aerial ladder unit without injury.

The fire was knocked down by 3:45 a.m., and the last unit was cleared from the scene by 5:50 a.m.

The home sustained extensive damage and the occupant has been displaced as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting with finding temporary housing.

Crews from North Attleboro, Plainville, Mansfield, Seekonk and Norton provided mutual aid at the scene. Raynham, Rehoboth and Pawtucket, Rhode Island Fire Departments provided station coverage.

“Crews reacted quickly and efficiently not only to extinguish this early morning blaze but to rescue the occupant of the home,” Chief Lachance said. “We thank the numerous crews who responded for assistance to this three-alarm fire.”

Three Attleboro firefighters were taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Two have been released and one remains at the hospital receiving treatment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Attleboro Fire Department.

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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.

Attleboro MA Fire Patch
City of Attleboro Seal

Attleboro Fire Department

Chief Scott T. Lachance

100 Union Street
Attleboro, MA 02703

Email: [email protected]