Police/Fire

Firefighters, Police, Citizens Awarded for Saving Lives; Fire Personnel Sworn In

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Firefighters, police officers and others who acted quickly to save lives received awards for their good work Friday, and the Watertown Fire Department swore in their recently promoted and hired members. The Watertown Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room was packed with family members and well wishers for the ceremony. Acting Fire Chief Bob Quinn said he was happy to mark something positive after a tough stretch for the Fire Department during which Firefighter Joe Toscano died while fighting a fire and Fire Chief Mario Orangio was diagnosed and died from cancer linked to his fire service. “The last year and a half has been rough for the Watertown Fire Department,” Quinn said. “It is great to be here for a happy occasion.”

Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Blaze at Arsenal Street Restaurant

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A fire has broken out at the Flaming Pit Restaurant on Arsenal Street in Watertown. Initial reports said that the fire was in the rear of the Mediterranean restaurant at 222 Arsenal Street. The first calls came in shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night. As of 9:12 p.m. firefighters had doused the flames and were checking for hot spots, according to fire radio. The restaurant is located in the block of business next to the new Gables Apartment complex on Arsenal Street.

Police/Fire

Grant Allows Watertown Fire Department to Give Seniors Smoke Detectors

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With funds from the Senior SAFE Grant the Watertown Fire Department was able to conduct a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation program for seniors, said Watertown Fire Capt. Ryan Nicholson. “Seniors are one of our most at risk populations with regards to fire deaths across the state. Smoke alarms provide early warning during a fire when seconds count,” Nicholson said. This year our program was able to install 48 smoke alarms and 41 carbon monoxide alarms in 20 elderly resident’s homes, Nicholson said. In addition, each resident was provided a fire extinguisher and an opportunity to voice their questions and concerns with regards to fire safety in the home.

Mario Orangio

Watertown Says Goodbye to its Fire Chief Who Loved the WFD Almost as Much as His Family

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Friends, family and fellow firefighters packed St. Patrick’s Church Friday morning to say goodbye to Mario Orangio, a man who always had a smile on his face and who loved the Watertown Fire Department almost as much as he loved his family. 

The Watertown Fire Chief from February 2004 to October 2017, Orangio was as appointed chief when he was just 37. Father Matthew Conley, parochial vicar for St. Pat’s and Sacred Heart Catholic churches, who is also the Fire Department’s chaplain, said the pain of Orangio’s death was worsened by the fact that he was taken by pancreatic cancer at such a young age. “Adding to the sting of this day is that Mario was only 51 years old and battled a horrendous disease,” Conley said. “He was just too young.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Hosting Open House for the Whole Family

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The Watertown Fire Department incites the public to their Open House for food, fun and learn about fire safety. The open house will be held Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Department Headquarters, 99 Main St., Watertown. The event features:

Station tours

Touch-a-(Fire) Truck

Meet Sparky the Fire Dog

Coffee and donuts courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts

Pizza courtesy of Papa Gino’s

Auto extraction demonstration featuring the “Jaws of Life” at 11 a.m.

Valuable informational resources on making your home safe

Government

Memorial for Watertown’s Fallen Firefighter Approved by Town Council

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The corner near house where Firefighter Joseph Toscano lost his life during a fire will be named in his memory after the Town Council voted to approve the memorial. 

Town Council President Mark Sideris read the resolution to create the Joseph A. Toscano Memorial in East Watertown last week. “Be it resolved that the Town Council gratefully acknowledges the ultimate sacrifice made by Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano and hereby dedicates a memorial at the corner of Merrifield Avenue and Bigelow Avenue in honor of Firefighter Joseph A, Toscano,” Sideris read. The Council resolution directed Town Manager Michael Driscoll to work with Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis to design an appropriate sign and memorial. The fire that took Toscano’s life occurred in Kounelis’ district in the East End. She added that she believes it is important to have a memorial for a hero like Toscano.

Fallen Firefighter

Firefighters Salute Fallen Watertown Firefighter as He Begins His Final Trip Home

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Firefighters lined up to salute fallen Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano as he began his final farewell Saturday morning. Shortly after 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the body of the 21-year-veteran of the Watertown Fire Department was transferred from Mount Auburn Hospital – where he was taken after collapsing at a fire on Merrifield Avenue and pronounced dead – to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Boston where the cause of death will be determined. https://twitter.com/BostonDotCom/status/843114457651990528

A procession of fire trucks escorted Toscano and waiting at the Medical Examiner’s office was a group of firefighters, including some of his fellow Watertown firefighters. They walked along side the hearse on Albany Street in Boston and escorted him into the building. https://twitter.com/bostonherald/status/843128591957331968

A fund has been created to benefit Toscano’s wife and five children.

Police/Fire

Fallen Watertown Firefighter, Husband and Father of 5 Mourned by Friends

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Friday morning, Watertown lost a great father, a talented cook and an excellent firefighter when a 21-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department collapsed at a fire and died later at the hospital. Joseph Toscano, 54, of Randolph, joined he Watertown Fire Department in September 1996, and leaves behind his wife Maureen and five children between the ages of 12 and 19 – three boys and two girls. Deputy Fire Chief Bob Quinn knew Toscano well, having chosen him to be his aide and driver 12 years ago when Quinn became a fire deputy. “I got to select my aide when I became deputy,” Quinn said. “I chose him because he was a good firefighter, and a smart guy.”