West Barnstable Fire District gets nearly $3K in grant funding

The West Barnstable Fire District is set to receive a grant through the Volunteer Fire Assistance program, state officials said recently. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced that 36 communities with nonprofit rural, call or volunteer fire departments have been awarded a total of $88,346 in grant funding through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program. This funding can help the departments and fire districts purchase necessary supplies and equipment for their respective units. “The VFA grants provide rural fire departments across the state with funding to invest in training and equipment that are critical to responding quickly and effectively to wildfires,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. The West Barnstable Fire District was among those receiving grants, with their portion coming in at $2,987.50.
Barnstable-Hyannis Patch

Crews put out fire inside apartment in Chicopee

Crews worked to put out a fire at an apartment on Montcalm Street in Chicopee Thursday night. According to the Chicopee Fire Department, crews were called at around 9 p.m. after a fire alarm was activated. The fire was found inside an apartment and put out quickly by firefighters. Two people are without a home and there is no word on any injuries. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

Firefighters bring foam and fun to Westwood

PHOTO: Recently, the Westwood Fire Department (WFD), in partnership with Westwood Recreation, held its annual Firefighter’s Foam party at the Sheehan School on Pond Street. As hundreds gathered on the field, most clad in swimwear and goggles, an announcement was made that the piece of equipment used to make the foam had fallen off the truck on the way over and was damaged. To avoid turning all the kids away on such a hot day - temperatures were in the 90’s, with high humidity - the firefighters made the decision to use their hose to spray a mixture of water and soap, instead. Initially, the event looked like it would largely be a disappointment. After a few minutes, however, the spray turned into a cooling, watery foam, and previously disconcerted children looked positively ecstatic as they danced and dived into the suds.
Hometown Weekly

Neighbor’s quick action saves New Bedford family from house fire

A New Bedford neighborhood is rallying together to help a local family after their home caught fire Wednesday morning. However, the help began when the blaze at 74 Dewolf St. was much smaller. "It looked like just a little tiki torch, like someone was sitting on their porch with a mosquito thing," said Mitchell Jackson, who lives a block away and happened to be outside when he saw a small flame from afar. Jackson apparently started walking down the street. "I saw it grow and grow and by the time I got to the corner I realized it was a fire, I called 911," said Jackson. Jackson ran towards the home on fire to try to help. "I was pounding on the door; I didn't think anyone was home," said Jackson. "It was late, I had no shoes on, I was looking for a garden hose to put it out," he said.
WJAR-TV NBC 10 Providence

Beverly, Danvers, and Peabody awarded federal firefighter safety grants

The Beverly, Danvers and Peabody fire departments were among those on the North Shore that will benefit from $1.6 million in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants, according to U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. Moulton announced $1.6 million in FEMA grants will be awarded as part of the AFG program designed to help firefighters and first responders obtain needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. Among the awards were $708,818 awarded to the Lynnfield Fire Department for training that will also benefit Danvers, Middleton, North Reading and Peabody. The Beverly Fire Department will also receive $102,973 for firefighter bailout kits and training. Additional grant recipients may be announced later this summer.
Beverly Patch

Follow Up: Two police officers honored for saving victims of Attleboro house fire

VIDEO: Two Attleboro police officers were recognized by the city on Tuesday after they rescued the victims from a burning home over the weekend. Officers Adena Joseph and Shawn Reardon were first on the scene after a fire broke out at a duplex off Mendon Road on Sunday morning. Without hesitation, both rushed to help the two people stuck inside. Joseph said in moments like these, you have to “stay calm but also act quickly and efficiently.” Reardon said he remembered seeing an unconscious woman on the floor and telling Joseph they had to go up to rescue her. “We went up, crawled underneath the black smoke above us, and we were able to make contact with her and pull her down,” Reardon said, detailing his experience to 12 News. The woman was seriously burned and taken to Rhode Island Hospital with critical injuries.
WPRI-TV CBS/MyNetworkTV 12 Providence