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

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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.

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

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Taunton Fire Department
Timothy J. Bradshaw, Fire Chief
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780

For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 2, 2018

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

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

TAUNTON – As community members prepare to turn their clocks back this weekend, Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department would like to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 a.m.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 46 percent of smoke alarms that failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries and roughly three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

The Taunton Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, 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 keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief Bradshaw 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.

For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Taunton Fire Department at 508-821-1452.

 

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments Raise Over $20,000 in Charity Hockey Game

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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

Saturday, May 19, 2018

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

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Raise Over $20,000 in Charity Hockey Game

Proceeds of Fundraising Game To Benefit Families of City Police Officer and Firefighter

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw are pleased to announce that a charity hockey game to benefit the families of a Taunton Police officer and Taunton firefighter raised over $20,000 last weekend.

Members of the Taunton Police Department and Taunton Fire Department squared off against each other on Saturday, May 12, to raise money for two good causes and for bragging rights in the city.

Half of the proceeds of the event will benefit Taunton Police Officer Jeremy Derosier’s two young children, who were both recently diagnosed with mitochondrial diseases. Baby Bryce Derosier is 14-months-old and his sister, Aubriella, turns 3 next month.

The other half of the money raised will benefit Amy Masse, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Masse is a second grade teacher at Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the sister of Taunton Firefighter AJ Masse. Her boyfriend is Taunton Police Officer Joseph Balmain.

Nearly 500 people attended the game at Aleixo Arena in Taunton.

The Taunton Fire team won the game 8-3, with the assistance of Vancouver Canucks forward Adam Gaudette. Gaudette’s father is a veteran Taunton firefighter. The hockey star donated one of his game worn jerseys as a raffle prize and played in the game as a surprise to support the fundraising effort.

Following the hockey game, a reception was held at the Portuguese-American Civic Club in the city. Barbecue was served and over 50 prize baskets and silent auction items were raffled off. The raffle items included a signed basketball from the Celtics, a signed jersey from the Bruins and Gaudette’s Canucks jersey.

“The whole day turned out to be really great and we raised a lot of money for these two amazing families,” said Officer Evan LaVigne, who helped to organize the event. “Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support.”

So far, the Taunton community has come together to help both families even beyond the hockey game. A GoFundMe page for Bryce’s care has raised over $31,000 in two months. A similar page for Amy’s treatment has raised over $12,500 in one month.

“This community really rallies for each other when someone is in need,” said Taunton Firefighters Association Local 1391 President Jason Lawrence. “Just being able to see the two families smiling and enjoying themselves made it all worth it.”

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments to Compete in Charity Hockey Game

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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

Monday, May 7, 2018

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

Taunton Police and Fire Departments to Compete in Charity Hockey Game

Proceeds of Fundraising Game To Benefit Families of City Police Officer and Firefighter

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw are pleased to announce that a charity hockey game to benefit the families of a Taunton Police officer and Taunton firefighter will be held this weekend.

WHEN

Saturday, May 12

  • Hockey Game – 2-4 p.m.
  • Reception/BBQ/Raffle – 5-9 p.m.

WHERE

  • Aleixo Arena, 150 Honorable Gordon M. Owen Riverway, Taunton
  • Portuguese-American Civic Club, 175 School St, Taunton

WHO

Members of the Taunton Police Department and Taunton Fire Department will square off against each other to raise money for two good causes and for bragging rights in the city.

Half of the proceeds of the event will go to benefit Taunton Police Officer Jeremy Derosier’s two young children, who were both recently diagnosed with mitochondrial diseases. Baby Bryce Derosier is 14-months-old and his sister Aubriella turns 3 next month.

The other half of the money raised will go to Amy Masse, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Masse is second grade teacher at Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the sister of Taunton Firefighter AJ Masse. Her boyfriend is Taunton Police Officer Joseph Balmain.

WHAT

In 2015, Taunton Police Officer Evan Lavigne was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Officer Lavigne’s father is a captain for the Taunton Fire Department.

After Officer Lavigne’s diagnosis, a few of his fellow officers approached him with the idea of organizing a hockey game between the police and fire departments to help raise money for his treatments. The game was a huge success and raised over $13,000.

Officer Lavigne is now cancer-free and when he heard about the struggles that the Derosier and Masse families were going through, he decided that it was his turn to return the favor.

He has been working closely with members of both the police and fire departments to help organize the event.

“This is just one more thing that we can do for these guys,” Officer Lavigne said. “Both families have been going through a really tough time. This will be a day for everyone to come together and help to distract them from their current norm and have some fun. It was something that I really appreciated when I was going through my treatment and I hope it’s uplifting to them as well.”

Tickets for the game are $20 each and can be purchased at the police and fire stations in the city. The family friendly event is open to adults and children of all ages.

The reception at the Portuguese-American Civic Club will include a barbecue where attendees can grill their own meat over open fire pits. The meat is included in the price of the ticket and will be provided at the club.

During the reception there will be over 30 prize baskets raffled off and silent auction items including a signed basketball from the Celtics, a signed jersey from the Bruins, a signed Vancouver Canucks jersey from Braintree’s own Adam Gaudette and other items.

Those who are unable to purchase tickets can still attend the game and reception, where they can buy raffle tickets and bid on the silent auctions. However, they will not be provided with food to cook at the reception.

So far, hundreds of tickets have been sold and many are still available to be purchased.

“This is something that we want to turn into an annual event,” said Taunton Firefighters Association Local 1391 President Jason Lawrence. “Being able to help these guys in their time of need is what it’s all about.”

So far, the Taunton community has already come together to help both families. A GoFundMe page for Bryce’s care has raised over $27,000 in two months. A similar page for Amy’s treatment has raised over $12,500 in one month.

“While we’ll be playing against each other on the ice, for most of our calls for service we are there together,” Lavigne said of the police and fire departments. “When it comes down to it, we’re all in it together to make sure that we all go home. So far it’s been a tremendous outpouring from both sides. Everybody has been so amazing in their support of these families.”

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments Advise Residents Ahead of Fourth Nor’easter This Month

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Tuesday, March 20, 2018

For Immediate Release

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

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Advise Residents Ahead of Fourth Nor’easter This Month

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw would like to advise Taunton residents about another nor’easter coming to the region on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Bristol, Plymouth and Norfolk counties, which will be in effect from  8 a.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday. Snowfall is expected to begin after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Taunton could see between 7 to 13 inches of accumulation, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures during the storm are expected to be between 40 and 31 degrees. Wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 37 mph.

Travel is expected to be very difficult at times with significant reductions in visibility. As with the other recent storms, town officials are asking residents to stay off the roads during the storm.

BEFORE THE STORM

  • Residents should be prepared for power outages and stock up on batteries for flashlights or battery powered lanterns. If using candles, there should be a 3 foot ring of safety and be sure to keep them away from anything flammable or combustible.
  • Keep cell phones, laptops and tablets charged as much as possible. Consider a external battery for your devices.
  • Neighbors should talk with one another and set up plans to assist those who may be at risk and/or in need of help.

DURING THE STORM

  • Stay off the roads and stay indoors, if possible. Give plow and sand/salt trucks the space they need to operate.
  • If your power goes out during the storm, contact the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant at 508-824-3111 to report an outage.
  • To report a gas leak, call 911. Residents can also contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-525-8222.
  • If you have an emergency, call 911.
  • Follow the Taunton Fire Department on its Facebook page and Twitter account for updates during and after the storm. You can also follow the Taunton Police Department on Facebook  and Twitter  for updates. The police and fire stations will be open throughout the storm. If you have an emergency, call 911.

AFTER THE STORM

  • Do not go near or drive over any downed power lines.
  • Clear snow from any gas vents attached to your home.
  • Assist the fire department by shoveling out any hydrants near your home.
  • Check your property for any trees that could be in danger of falling near your home or vehicles.
  • As the snow begins to melt, clear any debris from storm drains near your home to allow water to drain.
  • Do not pump water from sump pumps into the road. The water can freeze and cause hazardous conditions if the temperature dips.

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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

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