Deputy Chief

Watertown Fire Department Honors Promoted & New Firefighters

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Ryan Nicholson receives his badge from his wife after he was sworn in as Deputy Fire Chief as Fire Chief Bob Quinn watches. The Watertown Fire Department celebrated the promotion of two of its members, including the newest deputy fire chief, and welcomed four new firefighters at a recent ceremony. The promotions and swearings in took place at the Watertown Free Public Library on Friday afternoon. Fire Chief Robert Quinn announced the promotions and welcomed the new firefighters. All were sworn in by Town Clerk John Flynn.

Police/Fire

Fire in Commercial Building Caused by Lint Fire in Dryer

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A fire that caused smoke damage to a building on School Street in Watertown started in a dryer at the business, fire officials said. On Jan. 18, 2019, a passerby spotted black smoke coming from the business at 111 School Street and alerted Watertown Fire and Police departments at about 8:14 p.m.

The Watertown Fire Department responded, and discovered a fire in DMB Linens. Firefighters extinguished the fire and limited the fire damage to a pair of commercial dryers. Smoke damage, however, extended through the entire building, according to a report from the Watertown Fire Department.

Fire

Christmas Eve Fire Damages Watertown Home, Started in Chimney

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Watertown Firefighters battled a blaze at a home on Flint Road on Christmas Eve. A fire alarm struck at 4:24 p.m. on Dec. 24 for a fire at 25 Flint Road. The fire started in a chimney on the first floor of the 2.5 story multi-family home, according to Watertown Fire Capt. Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival crews found that a fire had spread from the fireplace on the first floor,” Nicholson said.

Charity

Watertown Police, Firefighters Come Together to Distribute Toys to Families in Need

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A table full of toys at the Watertown Police Station, just a fraction of the gifts that were distributed by Watertown Police officers and Firefighters to families in need in town on Thursday. The toy drive was organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation. Thursday morning, the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station turned into Santa’s Workshop, with toys for children of all ages piled up around the room. These gifts were delivered to families around Watertown, and beyond, who otherwise may not have a very Merry Christmas. All morning, Watertown Police officers, Watertown Firefighters, and others filled large plastic bags with gifts, and delivered them to more than 90 families around town.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Welcomes Newest Firefighter

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The Watertown Fire Department welcomed Cory Donahue as the newest member of the Department. 

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll appointed Donahue as a firefighter for the Town of Watertown, effective Sunday, November 4, 2018. The Watertown Fire Department welcomed him on its Instagram page: Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Cory Donahue as he begins his career with the Watertown Fire Department.

Fire Safety

Watertown Fire Department Spreading Fire Safety to Youth, Seniors With SAFE Grant

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Watertown Firefighters visited every elementary school this year and also installed fire alarms for seniors around town with the help of the fire safety grants. In January the Watertown Fire Department received $5,407 in Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) grant and $2,813 in Senior SAFE grant. “We applied for the grant and got it in 2017,” said Capt. Ryan Nicholson, the WFD’s S.A.F.E and Senior SAFE Program Coordinator. “It was the first time we got it in about 10 years.” In the Spring, S.A.F.E. Educators Firefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. and Firefighter Shane Gleason visited every third grade classroom at each of Watertown’s three elementary schools.

Around Town

Work of Watertown Police, Firefighters Recognized by Post Office with Special Stamp

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The U.S. Postal Service honored Watertown’s police officers and firefighters  Thursday with the unveiling of a stamp recognizing first responders. 

The Post Office is presenting local departments with a plaque featuring a larger image of the limited edition stamps. Linda Beattie, manager of Watertown’s three post offices, presented the plaques to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn, Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Dan Tardif, and Watertown Firefighter and EMT David Meagher during a ceremony at the Watertown Police Station. “For the work they did with the Boston Marathon bombers, we wanted to recognize them for their heroic actions,” Beattie said. “It has a special meaning for this town.” The stamp features three figures: a red firefighter holding an ax, a white paramedic holding a medical bag, and a blue police office shining a flashlight into the dark background partially filled with smoke.

Police/Fire

Fire Destroys Several Vehicles at Watertown Auto Body Shop

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A late night fire at a Watertown auto body shop damaged nine vehicles to varying degrees. 

On Oct. 3, 2018, the Watertown Fire Department responded to a fire at Perfection Auto Body at 2:29 a.m.

Firefighters gained access to the business on Pleasant Street and found several vehicles ablaze and they put out the flames. The fire started in one vehicle and spread to eight others, according to a report from the Watertown Fire Department. It totaled or damaged nine vehicles, according to Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady.