Headlines
09/02/09
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch a new series of Ready Campaign public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies, kicking off September's National Preparedness Month.
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01/22/08
Framingham, Mass. - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Council of Massachusetts United Ways (COMUW) have agreed to utilize Mass2-1-1 as the Commonwealth's primary telephone information call center during times of emergency. The easy to remember 2-1-1 telephone number will be utilized as a resource for human service and public safety/disaster response and planning agencies. It was designed, in part, to reduce the number of non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1.
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07/19/07
Waltham, Mass. - State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Waltham Fire Chief Richard Cardillo announced that the July 15 fire at 470 Main Street, Waltham started in the basement of the Sal's Restaurant. The area of origin was underneath the take-out counter. Investigators believe the most probable cause was either an electrical malfunction or a natural gas leak, which could have been ignited by several possible sources in the basement. The damage at the point of origin makes it impossible for further forensic testing to rule out one or the other possible ignition scenario. The investigative team has found no evidence to suggest the fire was intentionally set.
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07/16/07
Waltham, Mass. - The Waltham Fire Department continues to work with the State Fire Marshal's office and ATF to find a cause of the 4-alarm fire at 470 Main Street that destroyed two businesses and injured five firefighters Sunday morning. Fire conditions on Sunday and the amount of debris in the remains of the building had blocked access to key investigation areas. A crane arrived today to help investigators remove and sift through debris in the building.
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07/15/07
Waltham, Mass. - The Waltham Fire Department battled a 4-alarm fire at 470 Main Street on Sunday morning that destroyed two businesses and injured five firefighters. Waltham Fire received the initial fire alarm at 5:33 am and the response quickly grew to four alarms as part of the first floor collapsed causing two firefighters to fall into the basement, which was involved with fire. Firefighters on scene quickly rescued the two firefighters and pulled them to safety. Those two firefighters and one of the rescuers were treated for minor injuries and released from Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Two other firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire. No civilians were in the building or hurt during the fire.
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07/13/07
Waltham, MA - The Waltham Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Cardillo, will conduct hydrant inspections throughout the city July 22 through August 18, 2007. Chief Cardillo recommends that all persons who may use water for cooking, drinking or laundering during this period run their faucets until their water is free of rust. He advises citizens to watch for fire engines in their neighborhood as a sign that hydrant testing is in progess.
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07/07/07
Waltham, MA - The Waltham Fire Department announces the retirement of its most senior member, Lt. William Kresser. Hired on April 6, 1969, Lt. Kresser completes more than 38 years of service with the department and the City of Waltham when he serves his final shift Saturday, July 7, 2007. Lt. Kresser ends his career serving on Engine Company 1 out of Moody Street Station, the city's oldest firefighting company.
Read Entire WFD Press Release; Link to Story from the Daily news Tribune on Mon. July 09, 2007, By Jeff Gilbride/Daily News staff
Photos of Lt. Kresser's Last Shift Submitted by Rick Mitchell, Courtsey of Waltham Firefighters Welfare & Relief
Lt. William Kresser stands beside his Fire Engine, Engine 1.
Lt. Kresser holds honorary plaque surrounded by his fellow firefighters.
06/07/07
Waltham -A science experiment gone wrong sent one Brandeis police officer to hospital last night after a fire broke out in a university science laboratory at the school's South Street campus.
According to Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael Quinn, a group of students was conducting an experiment when an electrical short in a piece of equipment ignited silicone oil, causing the fire.
Waltham firefighters and police officers were called to the school just after 8 last night to extinguish the fire and evacuated and ventilated the building.
During the fire, one Brandeis police officer suffered from smoke and chemical vapor inhalation and was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
Quinn said a group of students and one assistant professor were working on the experiment at the time of the fire.
"The fire was contained to the workstation," he said. "Four trucks responded along with the shift commander. The building was evacuated and ventilated."
Story from the Daily news Tribune on Thu Jun 07, 2007, By Jeff Gilbride/Daily News staff
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