Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department’s New Drone Will be Used Before, After Fires

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The following information was provided by the Waterotwn Fire Department:

Good Afternoon,

I’m writing to announce that the Watertown Fire Department now operates a DJI Inspire 1 drone. The small unmanned aerial system will be used for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, pre-fire planning, inspections, search and rescue, fireground situational awareness, damage assessment and fire investigation. The drone was acquired with funding from a FM Global grant award worth $4,625 in the summer of 2017. After overcoming some roadblocks due to our proximity to Logan Airport’s Class B airspace, we are pleased to announce that we have been cleared to operate the drone safely and according to the FAA’s stringent regulations. The drone provides added capability to our department.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Fire Chief Remembers Fallen Colleagues; Wants a Progressive, Safe Department

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Watertown’s new Fire Chief said he will continue the tradition of his predecessors and work to make the department progressive and well trained while ensuring members of the department are safe and healthy. He also remembered a pair of recently lost members of the Watertown Fire Department. Robert “Bob” Quinn officially became the Chief of the Watertown Fire Department Thursday afternoon, after being sworn in in front of a packed room in the Watertown Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room. After being introduced by Town Manager Michael Driscoll and taking the oath from Town Clerk John Flynn, Quinn said: “It is certainly a very proud moment in my career becoming chief of this great Department. I look forward to serving the citizens of Watertown in this role.”

Police/Fire

Accident Between School Bus, Car on Common Street Sends Two to Hospital

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A car and a mini-school bus collided, causing the car to roll over and sent two people to hospital. The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday when the vehicles got into an accident on the Common Street hill near Bellevue Road. The driver of the car had to be extricated by Watertown firefighters, and was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The school bus had one student aboard, a 17-year-old who was not from Watertown. The student also went to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Bob Quinn

Watertown’s Next Fire Chief Named by Town Manager

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{UPDATED Sept. 6 at 9:05 a.m.: The location fo the swearing in has been changed, see below}

Watertown’s next fire chief will be a familiar face — Bob Quinn — a 31 year veteran of the department who has served as provisional chief for the past 10 months. 

Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that Quinn would be the new Fire Chief on Wednesday. He succeeds Mario Orangio, who retired in the summer of 2017 and died of cancer in November 2017. Quinn will be sworn in during ceremony at the Watertown Free Public Library on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. He said he was excited to be named chief. “I’m very excited to take on this responsibility for the Fire Department,” Quinn said.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Speeds Off After Hitting Car, Resident Defrauded of Nearly $60K

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Aug. 20, 3:02 p.m.: Officers checked on the welfare of a woman on Chestnut Street at Main Street and during a query they found she had three outstanding arrest warrants. The 37-year-old homeless woman was arrested on the two warrants from New Bedford District Court for assault and battery on a correctional officer and a default warrant from Boston District Court. Aug.

Police/Fire

Fallen Utility Poll Causes 2 Alarm Blaze That Destroyed Watertown Business, Cars

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The Watertown Fire Department faced flames, live electrical wires, and heat in the 90s when they battled the blaze in East Watertown Tuesday evening. The two-alarm fire was reported at 4:47 p.m. when a utility pole with an electrical transformer on top fell on cars outside 39 Clarendon Street, said Watertown Provisional Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “The pole coming down was the main cause of the fire,” Quinn said. “The pole there was weathered and landed on two cars. The fire started and burned up three cars pretty good.”

Police/Fire

Police: Motorcycle Owners Be Aware, Thieves Targeting Specific Brand of Bike

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Watertown Police warn that two identical types of motorcycles were stolen from outside homes in town last week. 

On the evening of Aug. 24 into the 25th, two red Ducati Hypermotard motorcycles were stolen, according to Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. Both were 2013 models. “Residents are advised to make sure their motorcycles are locked up and properly secured,” Grady said.