Police/Fire

Purchase of New Ambulance Approved, Number of Calls Increasing

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The Watertown Fire Department will be getting a new ambulance, which will help with the increasing numbers of medical calls to which paramedics respond. On Tuesday night, the Town Council unanimously approved the borrowing of $355,00 to pay for the purchase of a new ambulance. It will be paid off over five years with a total expected cost, including interest, of $402,925. The current ambulance, a 2016 GMC, has about 42,000 miles on it and will be kept as in reserve after the new one is delivered, said Fire Chief Bob Quinn. He said there is a lead time of about 8 months after ordering an ambulance.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from Mass. Fire Academy

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Firefighter Michael Lanzo recently graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced that a Watertown firefighter graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. Michael Lanzo completed the 10 week training program in Stow.  Due to the COVID-19 situation the graduation ceremony was limited to the graduates only. “Lanzo has returned to the firehouse to serve the citizens of Watertown,” Quinn said.

Government

Council Roundup: Fire Department Radios Approved, Election, DPW Openings

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The Watertown Fire Department will be replacing a key piece of equipment after the Town Council approved matching funds for a grant to pay for new portable radios. The Fire Department has 35 portable radios ranging in age from 1 year to 19, Fire Chief Bob Quinn told the Town Council on Sept. 8. Some of the radios have recurring battery failures and others lack clarity, Quinn said. “Communication is a critical part of a Department being able to operate efficiently at incidents each and every day,” Quinn said.

Police/Fire

Firefighters Extinguish Fire in Unoccupied Watertown Home

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Watertown Firefighters responded to a fire that broke out in an unoccupied home on Friday night. The call reporting the fire came in just after 11 p.m. on Aug. 25, said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson

“Upon arrival we could see fire on the second floor. At that time I ordered a Working Fire,” Nicholson said. “The building was being rehabbed and was unoccupied, which we confirmed with a search.”

Police/Fire

Five Watertown Firefighters Receive Promotions, One Appointed

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Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced several promotions made in the Watertown Fire Department, and a firefighter has been added to the WFD. The Fire Department sent out the following information:

The Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 12, 2020:

View this post on Instagram The Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 12, 2020: Firefighter Glen McManus to Permanent Fire Lieutenant Lieutenant Michael Anastasi to Temporary Fire Captain Firefighter Ralph Mele to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Firefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Firefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Please join us in wishing these members continued success in their new positions. @watertownmagov A post shared by Deputy Chief Ryan Nicholson (@watertownfire) on Jul 12, 2020 at 6:59am PDT

Firefighter Glen McManus to Permanent Fire LieutenantLieutenant Michael Anastasi to Temporary Fire CaptainFirefighter Ralph Mele to Temporary Fire LieutenantFirefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire LieutenantFirefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. to Temporary Fire Lieutenant

Please join us in wishing these newly promoted Fire Officers continued success in their new positions. The Town Manager’s office also sent out the following annoucement:

“We are pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has appointed Mr. Christopher Fidler as a Firefighter for the Town of Watertown, effective Sunday, July 12, 2020.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from Fire Academy

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Watertown Firefighter Jake Louro recently graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. The Watertown Fire Department recently welcomed its newest graduate from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. On April 24, 2020, Firefighter Jake Louro graduated from the Academy’s 10 week training program, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “Firefighter Louro has returned to the firehouse to serve the citizens of Watertown,” Quinn said. “Due to the COVID-19 situation the graduation ceremony was limited to the graduates only.

100th Birthday

See How Watertown Celebrated a Resident’s 100th Birthday During COVID-19

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Watertown turned out in a big way to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of its veterans on Friday afternoon. A call went out from the family of Joseph Markarian online, and the town responded. The U.S. Army veteran was treated to his own parade complete with police and fire vehicles with their sires blaring and a band (well at least one musician — Watertown’s famous traveling tuba player). The celebration was covered by WBUR reporter, and Watertown resident Bruce Gellerman. See and hear his report here.

Around Town

2 Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19; 2 More Virus Related Deaths in Watertown

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Several Watertown Firefighters quarantined themselves after two members of the Fire Department tested positive for the Coronavirus. One of those who tested positive has already recovered, and the second is still recovering, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “When the first Firefighter tested positive we had to quarantine four other Firefighters for 14 days,” Quinn said. “None of them developed any symptoms and are all back to work. We had another firefighter test positive and had to send three others for testing due to the possible exposure, but luckily they all came back negative.” Where the firefighters became infected is not known, Quinn said, but it is possible it was while they were on duty.