March 30, 2018 by Chelsea Belliveau Leave a Comment

Maynard Fire Department Congratulates High School Students on Burn Awareness Video Award

Maynard Fire Department
Anthony Stowers, Fire Chief, EFO/CFO
1 Summer St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 30, 2018

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

Maynard Fire Department Congratulates High School Students on Burn Awareness Video Award

MAYNARD – Fire Chief Anthony Stowers and the Maynard Fire Department would like to congratulate Maynard High School seniors Emma Jacques and Maddie Bottasso on winning an honorable mention for their entry in the statewide YouTube Burn Awareness Video Contest this week.

Maynard Fire Chief Anthony Stowers (fourth from left), Emma Jacques, Maddie Bottasso, and Jonathan Ogden at an awards ceremony for the YouTube Burn Awareness Video Contest. Jacques and Bottasso received honorable mentions for their entry. (Courtesy Photo)

Jacques and Bottasso were recognized during a ceremony on Thursday, March 29 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston.

The two students worked with their media teacher, Jonathan Ogden, to create a video that discussed burn safety and prevention. All submitted videos were required to be one to three minutes long, explore burn prevention topics, be well researched, not demonstrate risky or unsafe behavior, and to be both educational and informative.

“I applaud these two students for using their creativity to bring awareness to fire safety and would like to congratulate them on being recognized for their hard work,” Chief Stowers said. “We’ll be sure to feature their video on the fire department’s website!”

This is the 10th year of the video contest, and 28 teams from nine high schools throughout the state submitted entries. The contest was open to students enrolled in Massachusetts schools in grades nine through 12, and submissions were required to be from school-sponsored communications courses or sponsored extracurricular groups.

Click here to view Jacques and Bottasso’s video. The other winning videos can be seen on the Department of Fire Services’ YouTube channel by clicking here.

###

March 29, 2018 by Chelsea Belliveau Leave a Comment

Maynard Fire Capt. Walter Latta Jr. Achieves Accreditation for the Level of Fire Chief

Maynard Fire Department
Anthony Stowers, Fire Chief, EFO/CFO
1 Summer St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 29, 2018

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

Maynard Fire Capt. Walter Latta Jr. Achieves Accreditation for the Level of Fire Chief

Maynard Fire Capt. Walter Latta Jr. recently achieved accreditation for the level of fire chief. (Courtesy Maynard Fire Department)

MAYNARD – Fire Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that Capt. Walter Latta Jr. was granted accreditation for the level of fire chief by the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission (FSC) on March 20.

The FSC is a gubernatorial appointed board that has established a process for uniform credentialing for the level of fire chief based on education, training and experience in areas relevant to serving as fire chief. The program establishes benchmarks for training in fire and emergency service management so that chief officers may be better prepared to serve their department and community.

“This program allows chief officers to document their efforts to develop and maintain the skills to be an effective leader and manager in today’s fire service,” State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said. “The process provides an equal opportunity for the volunteer, call, or full-time fire service leader to meet the minimum criteria for achieving fire chief accreditation.”

Each applicant’s documentation is reviewed by a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission to determine if the individual has attained a minimum level of credits for education, training and experience.

“Capt. Latta has continually been a tremendous asset to the fire department and we are very proud of him for achieving this level of accreditation,” Chief Stowers said. “This accomplishment is a testament to his dedication to the community, our department and the fire service as a whole.”

Application for accreditation is open to all fire service members in the Commonwealth serving as chief of a department, or any person holding the rank of captain or above. Participation in the program is voluntary and all eligible personnel are encouraged to partake. Accredited participants are required to renew their credentials every three years.

“I am dedicated to providing the highest level of service to this community and have worked hard to continue my education and experience to bring a high level of professionalism to this position,” Capt. Latta said. “I appreciate that this accomplishment recognizes my dedication to be the best fire service leader I can be for this community.”

###

March 7, 2018 by Chelsea Belliveau Leave a Comment

Maynard Fire Department Urges Residents to Check Fire and CO Alarms During Daylight Saving

Maynard Fire Department
Anthony Stowers, Fire Chief, EFO/CFO
1 Summer St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

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

Maynard Fire Department Urges Residents to Check Fire and CO Alarms During Daylight Saving

MAYNARD – Chief Anthony Stowers and the Maynard Fire Department are reminding all residents and business owners to test their fire and carbon monoxide alarms when turning the clocks ahead this weekend.

Daylight saving begins Sunday, March 11 at 2 a.m.

“Functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the first line of defense in protecting you and your family during a fire or CO leak,” Chief Stowers said. “Please use this opportunity as a reminder to check that all detectors in your home are working properly, and call us if you need any assistance in testing alarms.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The Maynard Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to continue to keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief Stowers recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
Develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household.

For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Maynard Fire Department at 978-897-1015.

###

March 1, 2018 by Chelsea Belliveau Leave a Comment

Maynard Fire Department and Emergency Management Team Warn of Potential Flooding, Power Outages with Upcoming Storm

Maynard Fire Department
Anthony Stowers, Fire Chief, EFO/CFO
1 Summer St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 1, 2018

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

Maynard Fire Department and Emergency Management Team Warn of Potential Flooding, Power Outages with Upcoming Storm

MAYNARD — The Maynard Fire Department and Maynard Emergency Management Team are warning residents of the potential for flooding and power outages as a powerful storm makes its way into the region.

The National Weather Service has forecasted a serious storm that will pass through the area starting around midnight on Friday and continuing into Saturday morning.

Given recently warm temperatures, precipitation could switch back and forth from heavy rain to heavy, wet snow. The NWS expects the Maynard area to get as many as 2-3 inches of rain, as well as 2-4 inches of snow. Snowfall levels could increase depending on the track of the storm.

With heavy snow and rain, flooding is possible in low-lying areas. The Assabet River is expected to rise, but not reach flood levels. It will peak around midday on Saturday.

Wind gusts on Friday morning could reach 45-50 mph, with strong winds lasting through Saturday morning. Heavy, wet snow combined with powerful wind increases the possibility of power outages.

“As with any severe weather event, we are encouraging residents to stay inside and off the roads if possible, and to use extreme caution if you must travel,” said Fire Chief Anthony Stowers. “There is still a lot about this storm that could change, so we will advise residents of any fluctuations the storm is expected to bring to our area as we are made aware of them.”

Chief Stowers recommends that residents follow these guidelines to stay safe before, during and after the storm:

Be sure to have batteries for flashlights and battery-powered lanterns to use in the event of a power outage. If you must use candles, keep them away from anything flammable and do not leave them unattended.
Keep cell phones charged.
If possible, move or secure any outside items that could get blown by heavy wind gusts, such as lawn furniture.
Clear any storm drains of debris that are prone to flooding that may be near your house.
Use extreme caution if you must travel on the roads and avoid areas with large amounts of standing water.
If you need to use a generator, only use it outside and away from your home to prevent the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do not go near or drive over any downed power lines.
If you have an emergency, call 911.

###

February 2, 2018 by Chelsea Belliveau Leave a Comment

Maynard Fire Department Appoints First Female Captain

Maynard Fire Department
Anthony Stowers, Fire Chief, EFO/CFO
1 Summer St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Friday, Feb. 2, 2018

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

Maynard Fire Department Appoints First Female Captain

MAYNARD — Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that the Maynard Fire Department has appointed Firefighter Angela Lawless to the rank of captain.

Capt. Angela Lawless is the first female officer in the history of the Maynard Fire Department. (Photo Courtesy of Maynard Fire Department)

Capt. Lawless is the first female firefighter to complete the department’s probationary period, as well as the first female officer in the history of the Maynard Fire Department. She replaces Capt. Peter Morrison, who announced his retirement last week after 32 years of service as a career firefighter, all of which he worked in Maynard.

“We are extremely pleased to announce Angela as our next captain and first female officer,” Chief Stowers said. “She has been a tremendous asset to our department from the day she started here and I am looking forward to seeing her thrive in her new role.”

Capt. Lawless, who will be leading Group Three, has been with the Maynard Fire Department since 2012 and officially began her new role on Friday, Jan. 26. She began the promotional process in October, which included a written test, an assessment, an oral board and writing assignment.

“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career and could not have gotten to this point without the support and encouragement of my department,” Capt. Lawless said. “I would also like to thank my family — being a family member of a firefighter is not easy and I can’t thank thank them enough for being so patient and supportive.”

The Holliston resident is a mother of three. She grew up in York, Maine and was raised in the fire service, with both her father and step-father serving as firefighters in Maine and Virginia, respectively.

In 2006, she attended the Massachusetts Fire Academy as a call firefighter and again as a firefighter in 2013. She continues to work at the Massachusetts Fire Academy as an instructor.

During her time with the Maynard Fire Department, Capt. Lawless has worked as the EMS coordinator and recently attended the the National Fire Academy for a two-week course on management of EMS services.

In addition to working with Maynard Fire, Capt. Lawless has worked for the Holliston Fire Department since 2003 as a call firefighter and EMT.

###