Police/Fire

Watertown’s Fire Chief Thanks Family, Fellow Firefighters During Swearing-in Ceremony

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Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s new Fire Chief had plenty of people to thank during his swearing-in ceremony, but Ryan Nicholson made sure not to be the sole focus of the event at the Commander’s Mansion on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m incredibly humble to be able to address this group today as the Watertown Fire Department’s eighth permanent fire chief,” he said Tuesday. “I am also excited to announce the promotion of five of our men, and celebrate the appointment of seven firefighters.” City Manager George Proakis has gotten to know Nicholson, having worked together since Proakis arrived in Watertown in August 2022.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Fire Chief Appointed by City Manager

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Photo by Watertown Fire DepartmentRyan Nicholson has been named Watertown’s new Fire Chief. Here he is shown when he was appointed Assistant Fire Chief. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment Ryan Nicholson as the new Fire Chief for the City of Watertown. Chief Nicholson brings 17 years of experience to the Watertown Fire Department. As Chief, he will oversee approximately 90 sworn and civilian staff, providing fire and emergency response services spanning four groups with an annual operating budget of approximately $13 million.

Police/Fire

Three Watertown Firefighters Graduate from State Fire Academy

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Watertown Firefighters Kate Boudreau, Aqib Shah, and Kevin Mawe graduatd from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Fire Services)

The following information was provided by the state Department of Fire Services:

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director Jeffrey P. Winn announced the graduation of 23 firefighters, including three from Watertown, from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. “First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities, and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The rigorous professional training they’ve received provides them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”

The graduating firefighters of Class #312 represent the fire departments of Amesbury, Chelsea, Devens, Gardner, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Peabody, Swampscott, Watertown, and Winchester. The following graduates are members of the Watertown Fire Department: Kate Boudreau, Kevin Mawe, and Aqib Shah.

Police/Fire

“Natural” Fire That Damaged Watertown Home Started in Mulch

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighters from Watertown and several area communities battled the three-alarm fire on Maple Street. Fire investigators determined that a fire that damaged a multifamily home in Watertown was started by a “natural” cause. On Thursday afternoon a three alarm blaze struck a home on Maple Street. Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said it started outside th home. “Our fire investigator has classified this fire as ‘Natural,’ and determined the cause to be fresh mulch which ignited from direct sunlight heating and extended to trash barrels in direct contact,” provisional Watertown fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said in a statement.

Police/Fire

3 Alarm Fire Damages Multifamily Home in Watertown

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFlames blaze out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street on Thursday. Flames could be seen coming out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street Thursday afternoon. Watertown Firefighters, with help of several departments, were able to contain the three-alarm fire to just that structure. The call for a fire came in at about 3 p.m. on May 11, said Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival we found a fire that appeared to start on the exterior at the ground level and travel up and into the third floor for a multi family home,” Nicholson said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Remembers Fallen Firefighter Six Years Later

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Watertown Firefighters honored their fallen colleague, Joe Toscano, who died fighting a fire on March 17, 2017. Friday, the Watertown Fire Department marked the sixth anniversary of losing one of their own in the line of duty. On March 17, 2017, Firefighter Joseph Toscano died during the aftermath of a fire on Merrifield Avenue. On Friday, Watertown Firefighters stood at attention and observed a moment of silence during a brief ceremony at the intersection that now bears Toscano’s name — Merrifield and Bigelow avenues. Joe Toscano

Toscano served as the aid to retired Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn during the time Quinn was a deputy chief.

Around Town

OP-ED: How Safe is Watertown From a Bio Lab Emergency? Part 1

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

In both numerous news articles about Watertown becoming a biotech hub and from our own personal observations here in Watertown, the vast and rapid proliferation of biotech buildings is looming large. It has become a grave concern for me and for many in this community. And in Waltham, a neighboring city, it was recently reported in the Globe that there was a chemical spill at the Waltham Azenta Life Sciences Lab, involving a liter to a gallon of acid-based, flammable solvent, and requiring the Waltham Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Hazmat team to be called in for assistance. Because of the massive proliferation of bio lab space in Watertown and a recent bio lab chemical spill just next door in Waltham, I decided that it was worth taking a closer look at Watertown’s biosafety preparedness status. To do so, I reviewed the Watertown Biosafety Committee meetings and regulations and City Council meetings.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from State Fire Academy

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Firefighter James O’Connell, center, graduated from the State Fire Academy. He is pictured with Watertown Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson, left, and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. The Watertown Fire Department announced the graduation of Firefighter James O’Connell from the Massachusetts Fire Academy on Jan. 9. The Fire Department announcement said: “Please join us in congratulating Firefighter O’Connell on his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today in Stow, MA.