Building Collapse at 113 Washington Street

2/24/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 113 Washington Street at 3:49 P.M. this afternoon for a reported building collapse.  Upon arrival crews found about 85% of the building's roof had collapsed, with the outside walls buckling.  No one was inside the building at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.  Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson stated "We were fortunate that no one was in the building at the time of the collapse."  The building was used to store equipment for a local paving company.  The collapse is attributed to the large amount of snow built up on the structure.  National Grid, and the Auburn Water District were called to the scene to shut off the utilities to the building to prevent any further hazards.  The local building inspector was requested and he did respond.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.

Pictures can be used by the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Help Clear Fire Hydrants of Snow

2/19/15

Today the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Inmate Community Service Program assisted the AFRD staff and retired AFRD Lieutenant and current Selectman Ken Holstrom shovel fire hydrants.  This team effort focused on many different areas of town including Routes 12 & 20.  Fire Chief Stephen Coleman said "I really appreciate the assistance other organizations and departments have given us when it comes to shoveling out fire hydrants".

Over the past week the National Guard, Citizens Emergency Response Team, Department of Public Works, Auburn Water District, and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office have assisted the AFRD with shoveling out fire hydrants.  We would like to thank all of the organizations that have helped in this endeavor and all the residents that shovel fire hydrants every storm, it truly is appreciated.  

The AFRD depends on fire hydrants to provide the necessary water needed to extinguish a fire.  If the fire hydrant is buried under snow crews will have to shovel it out in order to extinguish the fire or search for another fire hydrant.  Having the fire hydrant shoveled out prior to an emergency will help prevent delays on extinguishing a fire.  

Once again a big thank you to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office inmates, staff and Selectman Holstrom for a great job today.  

Pictures for the Media.

   

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Namco Pool, Patio & Game Room Superstore Structural Integrity Compromised

2/17/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 2 Washington Street Namco Pool, Patio & Game Room Superstore at 6:51 P.M. for a reported sprinkler activation.  Upon arrival crews found a broken sprinkler pipe in the building.  The water was shutdown to the system, stopping the leak.  While crews were on scene it was noticed that the front of the building appeared to have a roof problem.  The building inspector was called to the scene to evaluate the situation.  The building inspector found the building's structural integrity to be compromised.

Namco representatives are working with the buildings inspector to rectify the situation and will remain closed until the building is deemed safe.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.

Please visit the link below for safety tips on how to avoid a roof collapse and video from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZDOsgRuus

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Masspike Fatal Accident

2/11/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department responded to the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound near the 89 mile marker for a reported tow truck driver struck by a motor vehicle at 2.59 P.M.  The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  Massachusetts State Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Building Collapse at 5 St. Mark Street

2/10/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 5 St. Mark Street at 5:57 A.M. this morning for a reported building collapse.  Upon arrival crews found about 90% of the building had collapsed.  No one was inside the building at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.  Fire Chief Stephen Coleman stated "We were fortunate that the building was not in operation and no one was trapped inside.  If people were trapped we would have needed the assistance of the technical rescue team."  The collapse is attributed to the large amount of snow built up on the structure.  National Grid, Eversource Gas, and the Auburn Water District were called to the scene to shut off the utilities to the building to prevent any further hazards.  The local building inspector was requested and he did respond.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.  

Please visit the link below for safety tips on how to avoid a roof collapse and video from today's building collapse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZDOsgRuus

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Mass Pike Rollover Snarles Traffic

Just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded along with the Mass State Police to a reported motor vehicle rollover on the Mass Turnpike westbound around the 87 mile marker prior to the Charlton line.

One patient was transported to the hospital by Ambulance with non life threatening injuries. Engine 3 assisted with containment and cleanup of fluids on the highway. The accident is under investigation by the Mass State Police.

Vehicle Fire in Burger King Parking Lot

2/6/15

Just after 9:30 a.m. this morning the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to a vehicle fire in the entrance to the parking lot of the Burger King restaurant on Southbridge St. Engine 1 from the West St. station arrived to find a 14 passenger van fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished. Traffic on Southbridge St. was reduced to one lane for a period of time while crews extinguished the fire. Auburn Police assisted on scene with traffic management. There were no injuries reported.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

AFRD First Due to Oxford Fire

2/5/15

On Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m. the AFRD responded mutual aid to the Town of Oxford to 15 Thayer Pond Village, off of Rt. 20 near the Auburn line for a reported structure fire. Engine 1 out of the West St. station which is only a few miles away was first to arrive to find an apartment on the second floor involved in fire. The crew stretched a line to the second floor and quickly extinguished the fire. Companies from Oxford arrived several minutes later and assisted in a search and overhaul of the remainder of the 5 unit apartment building. Auburn Engine 3 from headquarters and Chief Coleman were also on scene.

The state fire marshals office was called to investigate. Several occupants were displaced for the night and the Red Cross was notified to assist the residents. Charlton, Dudley, and Leicester Fire Departments were also on scene to assist. All Auburn companies were clear of the scene shortly after 9:00 p.m.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Propane Leak at 809 Washington Street

2/4/15

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 8:46 A.M. on February 4, 2015 responded to 809 Washington Street for a reported propane leak outside of the building.  Washington Street was shutdown in both directions and the area was evacuated.  A party clearing snow around the outside underground  propane tanks with a backhoe, struck the propane feed lines for the a propane tank causing the leak.  The leak was stopped by the fire rescue department.   The gas inspector and Osterman's Gas Company responded. Washington Street has been reopened.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Auburn Fire Rescue Chief asks to Keep Egress and Hydrants Clear of Snow

Auburn Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. is reminding both home and business owners to make sure all your doorways and fire hydrants are shoveled out.

Chief Coleman says that Firefighters run into a number of circumstances when people's secondary means of egress is blocked by piles of un-shoveled snow. Typically, most residents use their back door as the primary means of entering and exiting their home. The front door is often reserved for guests.

“People don’t consider that the outer storm door typically swings outward. So as soon as you've got snow, which becomes ice, and you push that door, it doesn't open. Consequently, your secondary means of exit is cut off”. Chief Coleman said.

In addition, the Chief asks residents and business owners to keep an eye on their neighborhood fire hydrants, and for business owners to monitor the private hydrants on their property. "With over 500 hydrants in Auburn we need the publics help to keep the hydrants clear. It would take us a month to shovel out that many hydrants".

Because the heating season often brings on fires in the home, Chief Coleman recommends in addition to keeping all exit paths clear and hydrants shoveled, residents should have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and a home escape plan. “Keeping all exits free of ice and snow not only makes the home safer in case of fire, it minimizes slips and falls, Chief Coleman said.

For more information contact:
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us
508-832-7800

Massachusetts Adopts new Fire Code on January 1, 2015

Effective January 1, 2015 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will have a new fire code. Massachusetts is adopting the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA-1 as its new statewide standards. Currently 20 other states have adopted NFPA-1.

Auburn Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. says this change has been in the works for several years and local fire inspectors assigned to the Bureau of Community Risk Reduction, Fire Prevention Division have been preparing for the changeover. Chief Coleman says that Auburn's two fire inspectors assigned to the division have taken credentialing classes over the past year including the two day training program for familiarization of the new code. Both inspectors are also nationally certified.

Chief Coleman says that the adoption of the new code will bring much needed consistency to Massachusetts. Although there are some Massachusetts amendments to the code, it brings the state in line with many others across the country with standard fire protection measures. A major noticeable change to the code is that it shifts certain responsibilities to agencies that are more appropriate and better suited to handle certain compliance issues. One example is that the Department of Environmental Protection will have a larger role in the oversight and enforcement of underground storage tanks that would be found at a gas station.

Chief Coleman says the new code will take some time to get used to but ultimately will be a good thing for the state and the municipalities. "It will help take many of the grey areas out of the code that used to be specific to Massachusetts. It always made it difficult when you had architects and builders who were from out of state and may not have been completely familiar with Mass code. This will certainly help with standardization".

Assistant Chief Johnson Graduates from Chief Fire Officer Management Program

12/18/14

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, 33 fire officers from 33 communities graduated from the 21^st offering of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program. The thirteen-week program was developed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Standards for chief fire officers, and is delivered jointly by the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. It is a comprehensive course providing training in the non-fire suppression aspects of managing fire departments.

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said, “These fire service leaders are committed to continually developing their management and leadership skills in order to provide the highest level of service to the communities they protect.”

Fire officers from the following fire departments graduated in the evening ceremony: Amherst, Arlington, Auburn, Ayer, Barnstable, Billerica, Bourne, Brockton, Brookline, Cohasset, Duxbury, Easton, Everett, Falmouth, Holden, Lexington, Littleton, Longmeadow, Marblehead, Massport, Natick, Plainville, Randolph, Shrewsbury, Stow, Wakefield, Wayland, West Springfield, Westborough, Westford, Weymouth, Wrentham, and Yarmouth.

The curriculum covers a spectrum of topics considered essential for effective public sector management. It includes human resource management, group dynamics, leadership and legal issues, governmental and organization structures, information management, customer-focused strategic planning, legal aspects, budgets and public finance, community awareness and public relations, and labor relations.

The Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program expects to help fire officers improve their ability to lead and manage personnel and the department, to provide skills to understand employees’ needs and problems, to promote personal productivity, to increase the capacity to manage both human and technical resources, and to increase inter-agency cooperation.

Participants are required to write a formal research paper, identifying a current problem or challenge faced by their organization and proposing a viable solution. The officers must then present their proposal to a mock panel of municipal officials for their consideration.

The Massachusetts Firefighter Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program, tuition-free.

Left to Right: Deputy State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Johnson Auburn Fire Rescue Department, Fire Chief Stephen Coleman Jr. Auburn Fire Rescue Department, State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Pedestrian Accident on Washington Street

12/11/14

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 4:14 A.M. on December 11, 2014 responded to the area of 139 Washington Street for a reported motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian.  The pedestrian involved in the accident was transported to UMass Medical Center in Worcester with life threatening injuries.  The Auburn Police Department  is investigating the accident.  

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Hazardous Materials Release on Bylund Ave.

12/8/14

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 4:28 P.M. on December 6, 2014 responded to 22 Bylund Ave. for a reported hazardous materials leak.  Upon further investigation the hazardous materials leak was mineral oil from an electrical transformer located on a utility pole outside the home of 22 Bylund Ave.

According to National Grid the transformer overheated causing the relief valve within the transformer to leak about 11 gallons of mineral oil onto the ground.  The mineral oil was carried to into Stoneville Reservoir by the rainy conditions.

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department deployed hazardous material booms in an 80 foot area via a fire-rescue boat to limit the flow of the material within the pond.  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Auburn Water District were notified of the situation.  A hazardous materials clean up crew responded to the incident.  Power was lost to the neighborhood for about two hours.  

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

SUV Strikes 2 Homes on Marianna Ave.

12/8/14

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 4:22 P.M. on December 6, 2014 responded to a motor vehicle that struck two homes at 3 and 5 Marianna Ave.  A SUV with one driver struck a fence, utility pole and two homes.  No one was injured in the incident.  The Building Inspector was called to the scene to inspect for structural damage to the homes.  Damage to the homes was minor and did not compromise the structural integrity of the buildings, said the Building Inspector.  Auburn Police are investigating the incident.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Tanker Truck Rollover and Motor Vehicle Accident Mass Pike West

11/17/14

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 3:24 P.M. responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Mass Pike west behind the Auburn Mall.  The motor vehicle accident involved a passenger car and a tractor trailer truck carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel.

The driver of the passenger car was transported to UMass Medical Center University Campus with non life threatening injuries.  The tractor trailer truck driver was not transported to the hospital by ambulance.      

Approximately a minimum of 3,750 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled.  The Department of Environmental Protection Agency and the Auburn Water District were notified and responded to the scene.  Mass D.O.T. and the Auburn D.P.W. assisted with hazard mitigation.

AFRD is still on scene assisting with mitigation.  Below are pictures for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Poster Contest Breakfast

11/14/14

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department will be hosting its annual poster contest breakfast Wednesday November 19, 2014 at 8:30 A.M.

Every year the AFRD conducts a fire safety poster contest through the public schools for grades 1-5. The goal of the contest is to have children reflect the fire prevention theme of the year in a poster, this years theme is "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives. Test Yours Every Month!". This contest helps reinforce the important fire safety messages firefighters teach too the children in the classroom.

Each year in November the AFRD hosts a poster contest breakfast for the grade winners and overall winner of the poster contest. The overall winner receives a new bicycle.

Posters in the past were judged by a group of firefighters based on the message and artistry. This year the AFRD picked 30 posters to post on Facebook for the community to vote on.  Voting was open from Tuesday 11/11/14 to Friday 11/14/14 at 10:00 A.M.  The winners will be announced at the poster contest breakfast on Wednesday November 19, 2014 at 8:30 A.M.  Media is welcomed at this event.      

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Auburn Fire Rescue Department Responds to a Camping Trailer Fire

11/9/14

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department responded to 3 Arrowhead Ave. for a reported camping trailer on fire in the driveway up against the house.  Crews arrived on scene to find a camping trailer fully engulfed in flames about four feet from the home.  The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the trailer which sustained heavy damage.  Moderate damage was done to one side of the home's vinyl siding and windows.  The camping trailer was not occupied and the home was evacuated prior to the AFRDs arrival.  No injuries were reported.  Pictures below may be used by the media.   

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Auburn Fire Rescue Department Hosting Community CPR Program

10/28/14

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Community CPR program on Sunday December 14, 2014. The CPR classes that will be made available to the public are possible due to the generous equipment donations of Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas and the Auburn Permanent Firefighters Local 4157.

Fire Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. said that a few years ago the Pappas Foundation donated a number of external defibrillators to the Town of Auburn and other places of assembly that included places of worship. Defibs, as they are more commonly called were placed in town buildings, including all of the schools. As part of that initiative to better improve the chances of survivability in a cardiac arrest situation the Pappas Foundation also purchased CPR training manikins as well as a Defib trainer that can be used to train the public in the proper methods of delivering CPR in conjunction with a Defib. Most recently, the department accepted a donation from the local permanent firefighters union that allowed them to purchase all of the start-up materials needed including books, training DVD, CPR masks and other accessories needed to run the classes.

The CPR class, open to members of the public will be held on Sunday December 14, 2014 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Auburn High School in the presentation room. The cost for the program is $60.00 per person which includes the book and a pocket mask needed to perform CPR. Chief Coleman said the cost of the program is considerably less then some other companies that offer CPR training. “We are not doing this as a business so we are able to keep our costs to run a program much lower. Our goal is to provide important, quality training that may keep a family member or someone else in the public alive” Coleman said.

The class is limited to 30 people so early registration is encouraged. To register for the December 14th class please call the Auburn Fire Department at 508-832-7800 or e-mail the Community CPR Coordinator, Firefighter/Paramedic Adam LaFlash at alaflash@town.auburn.ma.us

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Auburn Fire Rescue Department's Annual Open House

10/16/14

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department will hold its annual fire prevention open house on Saturday October 25^th from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.  Fire Prevention Week this year is October 5^th -11^th and members of the Auburn Fire Rescue Department spent the week in some of the schools teaching children the importance of fire safety in the home and important skills including stop, drop and roll, and how to plan an escape route from their home.  More fire safety programs are scheduled at the schools and other public events throughout October.

This year’s open house will be held at Auburn Fire Headquarters located at 47 Auburn Street, Auburn, MA 01501.  Children and adults can participate in various activities including a tour of the Fire Districts smoke house, learning the proper use of a fire extinguisher, dressing up like a firefighter, and operating a fire hose line.  Informational material on fire safety will also be available. 

Lieutenant Shawn Steele who heads the department’s fire prevention programs is looking forward to the event being a huge success. “We enjoy teaching fire safety through positive interactions with both children and adults" Lieutenant Steele said.  The open house is sponsored through a state grant for fire education. In addition, both Papa Gino’s Pizza and the Auburn Permanent Firefighters Local 4157 donate the food and refreshments for the event each year.

 Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us