Press Releases Archives - Taunton Fire Department

Taunton Fire Department Reminds Residents to Check Smoke and CO Alarms During Daylight Saving Time

October 30, 2020 by Leah Comins Leave a Comment

TAUNTON — Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department encourage residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when setting their clocks back for daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m., and clocks will move back one hour at that time.

“Be sure to always check the manufacturing date on your alarms,” Chief Bradshaw said. “The entire smoke alarm should be replaced every 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke and CO alarms that have regular, replaceable batteries need a new battery at least once per year. Regular batteries should also be replaced right away if the alarm chirps to indicate that the battery is low.”

According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), working smoke alarms decrease the risk of dying in home fires by nearly half. Additionally, in many reported home fires in which smoke alarms were present but did not operate, the batteries had been removed or the alarm was disconnected due to dead battery alerts or nuisance alarms.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%). Additionally, dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke alarm failures.

In order to keep your family and home safe, Taunton Fire recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by IAFF:

Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in a central location or near the stairway to the upper level. Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to minimize false alarms.
CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. Standard smoke alarms do not detect carbon monoxide.
CO is known as the invisible killer, it is colorless and odorless. It may also affect adults, children and pets differently.
For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound. CO alarms can also be interconnected.
Test smoke and CO alarms at least once per month using the test button.
Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
Smoke and CO alarms with replaceable batteries need a new battery at least once per year. Replace batteries during daylight saving time or if the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low.
When replacing a battery, follow the manufacturer’s list of usable batteries on the back of the alarm. Manufacturer instructions are specific to the batteries that must be used and the alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.
Replace all smoke alarms according to the date on the back or when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of a smoke and CO alarm and knows how to respond.

The Taunton Fire Department would also like to remind residents that carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are not interchangeable and should never be disconnected. The best practice for checking your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms is to do so monthly.

For more information on smoke alarm and CO alarm safety, visit the IAFF website.

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Taunton Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During National Fire Prevention Week

October 6, 2020 by Matthew Reid Leave a Comment

TAUNTON — As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department would like to provide cooking safety tips and are also encouraging everyone to create a home escape plan in the event of a fire.

National Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) begins this year on Sunday, Oct. 4 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 10. The annual campaign seeks to educate and provide the public with valuable safety recommendations and steps they can take to prevent possible fires and react properly in the event of a fire.

The theme of the 2020 National Fire Prevention Week is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” in an effort to remind people of simple but important steps to take in the kitchen to prevent fires and injuries.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the main cause of kitchen fires and almost two-thirds of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

The NFPA estimates that from 2014-18, U.S. fire departments responded to approximately 172,900 home cooking fires per year. These incidents caused a yearly average of 550 civilian deaths, 4,820 civilian fire injuries, and approximately $1 billion in property damage.

The Taunton Fire Department wishes to share the following safety tips provided by the NFPA:

Cooking

Stand by your pan when cooking. Do not leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stove unattended.

If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, and use a timer to remind yourself that you’re cooking.

Remain in the home while using the stove or oven. If you have to leave, turn the appliance off.

Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent accidental spills of hot contents.

Keep flammable objects such as potholders, towels, paper, or plastic bags away from heating elements.

Create a three-foot “child-free zone” around the stove. Keep children and pets away from the stove while cooking to prevent burns and scalds.

Avoid wearing loose-hanging clothing that can catch fire. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll to put out flames.

Never discharge a portable fire extinguisher into a grease fire. Put a lid on a grease fire to smother it, then turn off the heat. Baking soda will also work.

For fires inside an oven or microwave, keep the door closed, turn off the appliance, and call the fire department.

In the event of a fire, leave the building immediately and call 911. All fires and burns, regardless of size, should be reported to the fire department.

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

Create a home escape plan, and make a map. Share that plan with all members of your household. Designate a minimum of two ways to get out of each room, if possible.

Teach children how they can escape, should they need to get out of the home on their own.

Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance away from the home where everyone in your household should meet in the event of a fire.

For more fire safety information and tips visit the NFPA website here.

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Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association Receives $180,000 Federal Grant to Supply Local Departments with Supplemental PPE

September 4, 2020 by Benjamin Paulin Leave a Comment

TAUNTON — Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President and Taunton Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw is pleased to announce that the Association was recently awarded a $180,000 federal grant to be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for fire departments throughout Bristol County.

In June, North Attleborough Fire Chief Christopher Coleman and Mansfield Fire Chief Justin Desrosiers applied for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on behalf of the Association.

Last week, the Association was notified that it would be receiving a grant in the amount of $181,781.85.

The grant funds will allow the Association to purchase N95 masks, gowns, disinfecting solutions, safety glasses and other PPE, which will then be distributed to fire departments throughout Bristol County on an as-needed basis.

“This grant will allow us to purchase vital personal protective equipment that can help to supplement and augment the supplies of many of our fire departments in the county,” Chief Bradshaw said. “I credit Chiefs Coleman and Desrosiers for their great work in securing this grant and we are appreciative of FEMA for its support.”

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments Respond and Pull Unresponsive Child from Swimming Pool

July 29, 2020 by Matthew Reid Leave a Comment

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward J. Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw report that the Taunton Police and Fire Departments responded to a residence Wednesday evening for a report of an unresponsive child in a swimming pool.

At approximately 5 p.m., Taunton Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to an address on Washington Street. Police were on scene in less than one minute, and officers pulled a 2-year-old child out of the pool and immediately began providing medical aid and CPR. Additional Police and Fire personnel arrived shortly after and assisted until EMS arrived.

The child was transported to a nearby hospital by Brewster Ambulance and was taken by medical helicopter to a Boston Hospital. The child was reported to be breathing on their own, but no other updates are available at this time on the child’s condition.

“I commend the work of the officers for arriving on scene as quickly as they did, within one minute of the initial call,” Chief Walsh said. “The quick actions of both the police and fire personnel is a testament to their training and ability to act under very stressful circumstances.”

The incident is under investigation by the Taunton Police Department.

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Taunton Fire Department Reminds Residents that Use of Fireworks is Illegal in Massachusetts

June 24, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil Leave a Comment

As the Fourth of July and summer celebrations approach, Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department would like to remind residents that the use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts.

It is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks of any kind in Massachusetts, including Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Additionally, residents are prohibited from purchasing fireworks elsewhere and transporting them into the state.

From 2010-2019, 858 major fires and explosions were reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) due to the use of illegal fireworks. These incidents caused 12 civilian injuries, 40 firefighter injuries and a loss of approximately $2.9 million.

The Taunton Fire Department recommends that residents only attend displays put on by a licensed professional to ensure safety.

“The misuse of fireworks could potentially result in a fire that firefighters will have to respond to,” said Chief Bradshaw. “We ask that our residents help to mitigate the number of calls we respond to this season by refraining from illegal fireworks use. The illegal use of fireworks isn’t worth the trip to the emergency room or the destruction of property.”

Residents should always:

Call 911 if anyone gets injured by fireworks.
Set a positive example for children by not using illegal fireworks. If kids see adults using them, they may not realize the dangers and could be encouraged to pick up matches or lighters.
Be careful around even the smallest fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees and could easily cause severe burns and injuries.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the misuse of fireworks can cause death and injuries including severe burns, contusions, lacerations, eye injuries and more.

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Cooking

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

Fire Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw

Fire Chief
Timothy J. Bradshaw