Taunton Fire Department

Official Website

Taunton Police Arrest and Charge Man with Intentionally Setting Fires Last Week

by Leave a Comment

 

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police Arrest and Charge Man with Intentionally Setting Fires Last Week

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh reports that the Taunton Police Department has today arrested and charged a man with intentionally setting five fires in the city last week, within the span of approximately two hours.

DEREK LINDSAY, AGE 46, OF TAUNTON was charged with:

  • Arson of a Dwelling (Three Counts)
  • Burning Personal Property (Two Counts)
  • Breaking and Entering a Building in the Nighttime for a Felony

LINDSAY was arraigned today at Taunton District Court.

The fires were set between approximately 11:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, and 1:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6. The locations of the fires were:

  • Silver City Gas, 69 Weir St.
  • Art’s International Bakery II, 210 Weir St.
  • 220 Weir St.
  • 228 Weir St.
  • 29 Leonard Court

All five fires were able to be quickly knocked down and extinguished by the Taunton Fire Department. Due to fire damage to the electrical system at 210 Weir St., four residents living in two apartments above the bakery were temporarily displaced. No injuries were reported.

Through the subsequent investigation by Taunton Police detectives, it was determined that LINDSAY allegedly lit each of the five fires. An arrest warrant was obtained by Taunton Police detectives this morning and at approximately 1 p.m. today, LINDSAY was located and placed under arrest near the corner of County and Hart Streets.

“This was great work by our Detective Unit to develop this individual as our suspect and place him under arrest, all within days of the fires,” Chief Walsh said. “I want to commend our detectives for quickly solving this case and I would also like to thank the many members of our business community who willingly shared security surveillance footage that played a major part in our investigation.”

The Taunton Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the investigation. The incidents remain under active investigation by the Taunton Police Department.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

### 

Taunton Fire and Police Departments Investigating String of Overnight Suspicious Fires

by Leave a Comment

 

For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Fire and Police Departments Investigating String of Overnight Suspicious Fires

TAUNTON — Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw and Police Chief Edward Walsh report that the Taunton Fire and Police Departments and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating five fires that may have been intentionally set within the span of approximately two hours overnight.

The incidents remain under active investigation and police are seeking to identify the person or people responsible. Anyone with information about the fires or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area of Weir Street and Leonard Court is asked to call the Taunton Police Department at 508-824-7522 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229.

The Property and Casualty Insurance Companies of MA and RI, through their Arson Watch Reward Program, are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for anyone who can help to solve the case or identify the person or people responsible for the fires.

No injuries have been reported in the fires.

The fires were set between approximately 11:20 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

The locations of the fires were:

  • Silver City Gas, 69 Weir St.
  • Art’s International Bakery II, 210 Weir St.
  • 220 Weir St.
  • 228 Weir St.
  • 29 Leonard Court

All five fires were able to be quickly knocked down and extinguished by the Taunton Fire Department.

Due to fire damage to the electrical system at 210 Weir St., four residents living in two apartments above the bakery have been displaced.

Taunton Police briefly detained a person of interest for questioning early Thursday morning and the person was subsequently released.

To avoid being a potential target of arson, Chief Bradshaw suggests that residents lock the doors and windows to their homes, use motion-sensor lights around the perimeter of your home and business and remove anything an arsonist could use as fuel for a fire.

###

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Helpful Guidelines During National 911 Education Month

by Leave a Comment

 

Taunton Fire Department
Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780
Taunton Police Department
Chief Edward James Walsh
23 Summer St.
Taunton, MA 02780

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 12, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Helpful Guidelines During National 911 Education Month

TAUNTON — April is National 911 Education Month. Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw would like to ensure residents are prepared and able to access help during emergencies.

Around 240 million 911 calls are made in the U.S. each year. Public safety agencies around the country use 911 Education Month to conduct outreach to educate community members on 911 resources and best practices.

To ensure your family knows how to get help in an emergency, Chief Bradshaw and Chief Walsh recommend following safety tips provided by the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA):

Call If You Can, Text If You Can’t

Text-to-9-1-1 service is available in an increasing number of communities around the country, including Taunton. The service benefits individuals (or persons) who are deaf, hard of hearing or in a situation where they cannot speak and make a voice call. However, a traditional voice call, if possible, is still the best way to reach emergency services.

Know Your Location

Wireless calls to 911 provide location information, but 911 call takers may need more specific information. Be prepared to provide detailed information on where you are so that help can get to you as quickly as possible.

Stay Calm and Don’t Hang Up

Until you are instructed to do otherwise, stay on the line so you can provide any necessary information to the 9-1-1 call taker. Even if you accidentally call 9-1-1, don’t hang up. Inform the call taker that you dialed accidentally and that there is no emergency.

NASNA works to save lives and improve emergency response by supporting a national 9-1-1 education and awareness effort to ensure the appropriate and responsible use of 9-1-1 resources. Additional 9-1-1 education materials are available at www.know911.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL 911 MONTH

In 2008, the United States Congress recognized April as National 9-1-1 Education Month, supporting the efforts of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition to provide resources and materials to support public education about the optimal use of 911 services nationwide. (Know911.org)

###

Source: nena.org

Taunton Fire and Police Departments Respond to Helicopter Crash

by Leave a Comment

 

Taunton Fire Department
Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780
Taunton Police Department
Chief Edward James Walsh
23 Summer St.
Taunton, MA 02780

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Fire and Police Departments Respond to Helicopter Crash

Pilot and Passenger Uninjured

TAUNTON — Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw and Police Chief Edward Walsh report that the Taunton Fire and Police Departments responded to a helicopter crash at the Taunton Municipal Airport Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot and passenger, both adult men, were uninjured in the crash.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., first responders went to the airport for a report of a helicopter that had crashed upon takeoff.

Upon arrival, the pilot and passenger had safely gotten themselves out of the helicopter, which came to rest on its side.

The initial investigation indicates that the pilot was taking off, with the helicopter about a foot off the ground, when a strong gust of wind caused the helicopter to tilt and fall onto its side.

The helicopter cab and rotor blade sustained significant damage.

The pilot was able to shut the aircraft down and both men were able to safely get out.

Medics from the Taunton Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance checked both men and they were not injured.

The helicopter had come from New Bedford and landed in Taunton as part of a training program. The instructor was piloting the helicopter when they attempted to take off to go back to New Bedford when the crash occurred.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been called to respond to the scene to investigate.

A small fuel spill from the helicopter has been contained and firefighters were able to shut the fuel off, preventing further spillage.

The Taunton Municipal Airport houses approximately 100 aircraft and sees a couple dozen aircraft come and go each day.

###

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Driving Safety Tips Ahead of Tuesday’s Snowstorm

by Leave a Comment

Monday, Feb. 11, 2019

For Immediate Release

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Driving Safety Tips Ahead of Tuesday’s Snowstorm

Snow Expected to Impact Tuesday Evening Commute

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw are notifying residents about the potential impact of a snowstorm on Tuesday that is expected to affect the evening commute.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the region from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. on Tuesday. Taunton can expect to receive 1-4 inches of snow, changing to sleet and then freezing rain. There is a significant chance for slippery road conditions, especially during the early evening.

During periods of snow, residents are required to remove their parked vehicles from the roadway to give plows proper and safe space to operate.

While this storm is not expected to be large, Chief Walsh and Chief Bradshaw urge residents and commuters to drive safely during wintry conditions:

Driving Safety

  • Avoid driving during the worst part of a storm and use extreme caution during a sudden snow squall.
  • Always clear snow and ice from windows, lights, the hood and the roof before driving.
  • Leave plenty of room for stopping.
  • Don’t try to out drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
  • Know the current road conditions. Call 511 from your cell phone or 617-986-5511 from either your cell phone or landline phone for updates on road conditions.
  • Brake early and correctly. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions.
  • Don’t use “cruise control” driving in wintry conditions. Even roads that look clear can have sudden slippery spots. Using your brake on these spots will deactivate cruise control, possibly causing you to lose control of your vehicle.
  • Look further ahead in traffic than normal.
  • Trucks are heavier than cars, making their brake time slower. Avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
  • Don’t crowd the plow. Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows. Stay back at least 200 feet and don’t pass on the right.
  • Remember to slow down and always wear your seat belt.
  • Let others know your destination, route and expected travel times.
  • Allow for extra travel time.
  • Drive with your headlights on at all times to see and be seen.

###

Contact Us

FOR EMERGENCIES
DIAL 911

Non-emergency phone number:
(508) 824-4024
Fire Prevention: (508) 821-1453
Main Office: (508) 821-1452

tauntonfire
tauntonfire

Fire Chief
Timothy J. Bradshaw

map-marker-icon

Mailing address:
Central Fire Station
50 School Street
Taunton, MA 02780