MAYNARD: Following the Blizzard of 2022, the Maynard Fire Department would like to remind all the residents of the community to clear the exhaust vents around their homes from any snow drifts. Blocked vents can lead to Carbon Monoxide (CO) build up in the home. Captain Parr noted, “CO can build up quickly in conditions like this since the cold weather is leading to heating systems working overtime. Now is the time to test your CO Alarms and ensure they are functioning.” The high snow total and the wind causing drifts has also left most fire hydrants buried throughout town. If you are able to adopt the hydrant near your house and clear three feet on every side it would greatly assist the firefighters in the coming days. “If there is a fire, access to water is one of our first priorities and eliminating the need to locate and dig out a hydrant will make everyone better protected,” Captain Parr said. “Most hydrants are marked with a metal flag marker so they can be found in deep snow.” For more information on Carbon Monoxide hazards visit the Department of Fire Services.
Maynard Fire Department Awarded $14,950 Grant for Safety Equipment
MAYNARD — Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that the Maynard Fire Department is one of nearly 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2021 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
The $14,950 grant awarded to the Maynard Fire Department will be used to purchase firefighting equipment, and personal protective equipment designed to protect firefighters from serious injuries or illnesses in the line of duty.
“I would like to thank both the Department of Fire Services and the state Legislature for providing funding this crucial grant,” Chief Stowers said. “Their support helps firefighters do a dangerous job a little more safely.”
This program enables fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer. The $4 million awarded to departments statewide is part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter health and safety over the next five years.
Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 114 different types of eligible equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment and more.
“Investing in the short-term and long-term health and safety of firefighters has been a hallmark of the Baker-Polito Administration,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “I am grateful that we are able to continue supporting this initiative and make sure that firefighters not only go home safe at the end of every shift, but also that they maintain their health during and after their careers. This funding couldn’t come at a better time either. With the financial challenges that COVID-19 has brought to so many Massachusetts municipalities, this grant funding will mitigate critical budget gaps in many departments.”
A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.
Maynard Firefighters Remember 9/11
MAYNARD – On September 11, 2020, firefighters marked the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks with a special announcement and ringing of the memorial bell. The firefighters flew a 9/11 Remembrance Flag and stood at attention while Maynard Dispatcher Justyne Stewart read the following announcement:
“Maynard Fire on the air with a special announcement to mark the 19th Anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. We invite all monitors to join us in a minute of silence to remember the victims and the sacrifices made that day.”
After a minute of silence, Firefigher Craig Desjardins rang 4 rounds of 5 bells in solidarity with the other remembrance services throughout the state. Captain Parr noted “those walking and driving all came to a stop and joined us in the solemn moment.”
Maynard Firefighters Stops Extension of Fire in 2-Family Home
MAYNARD, MA : The Maynard Fire Department responded to 23 Acton Street at 11:30pm on March 1, 2020 for the reported fire. On arrival, crews found smoke and fire in the rear of the home and were able to stop its extension with a fast fire attack. The two family home was occupied at the time of the fire and Captain Parr credits smoke alarms with alerting the residents so they could evacuate the building and call 9-1-1. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters.
Stow Fire Department and Acton Fire Department assisted Maynard in the response. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This was the second fire in five days for the Town of Maynard.
Adopt a Hydrant this Winter
MAYNARD – A day after the second storm of the young winter season, Maynard Firefighters began clearing hydrants during emergency responses. FF Alex Martinec and FF Justin Aubert cleared this hydrant after tending to a patient during a medical. Captain Parr noted that the fire department has added snow shovels back to the apparatus to help remove the snow around hydrants but encourages residents to adopt a hydrant in their neighborhood and clear a 3 foot space around them. Captain Parr explained, “clearing a hydrant will help firefighters identify it more quickly during an emergency as well as access it for fast water.”