Wenham Fire Department

WENHAM —Chief Stephen Kavanagh is pleased to announce that the Wenham Fire Department is one of over 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2023 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.

The $10,646.25 grant awarded to the Wenham Fire Department will be used to purchase firefighter turnout gear.

The program provides local fire departments with a variety of equipment that makes the dangerous job of firefighting safer. This is the third year that funding has been awarded for this purpose as part of a five-year, $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter safety and health in the coming years.

Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 121 different types of eligible equipment, including ballistic protective clothing, thermal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment and more.

“Every time a firefighter goes to work, they could be asked to rescue a child from a burning building, clean up a spill of hazardous materials, treat a patient with a contagious medical condition, or rush into a hostile event to rescue and treat victims,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “This program is absolutely vital to helping fire departments prepare for the vast array of hazards they face today and making sure that firefighters go home safe after every call.”

A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.

WENHAM — Chief Stephen Kavanagh and the Wenham Fire Department would like to remind students how to avoid fire dangers in their dorms and apartments as they return to campus this fall.

From January 2000 to May 2015, there were 85 fatal fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and off-campus housing, resulting in 118 fatalities — an average of approximately seven per school year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Of these fires, a majority (70%) occurred over the weekend with most occurring between midnight and 6 a.m. Leading causes of campus housing fires include cooking, careless smoking, unattended candles and overloaded extension cords, power strips or outlets.

The most effective fire prevention measure is the use of fire alarms and sprinklers. Fire alarms keep residents safe by warning them of a potential fire. Sprinkler systems can help to control the fire immediately, often extinguishing the fire or greatly limiting a fire’s ability to spread.

The Wenham Fire Department also reminds students that alcohol or drugs and fires don’t mix. These substances increase your chance of falling asleep while cooking or while a candle is lit and limit your ability to respond to an alarm.

To prevent accidents and injuries, the Wenham Fire Department recommends the following safety tips for students from the USFA:

Cooking

• Cook only where it is allowed.
• Keep your cooking area clean and free of anything that can burn.
• Keep an eye on what you are cooking, especially if you are cooking at high temperatures.
• If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.

Candles

• Place candles in sturdy holders.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep candles away from anything that can burn.
• Consider using safe flameless candles.

Smoking

• Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
• Use deep, wide ashtrays. Place ashtrays on something sturdy and hard to burn.
• After a party, check for cigarette butts, especially under cushions. Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast.
• Don’t smoke when you have been drinking or are drowsy.

Electrical Safety

• Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
• Never use an extension cord with large appliances, like a refrigerator.
• Do not overload outlets.
• Use only surge protectors or power strips that have internal overload protection.

Additional Safety Tips

• Never disable or remove batteries from smoke alarms.
• Don’t hang things on or cover fire sprinklers. This can affect their ability to work properly.
• Always know two ways out, no matter where you are. Plan and practice your escape routes.
• Leave immediately, closing doors behind you, and knock on roommates’ and neighbors’ doors as you exit.
• Once you’re out, stay out! Never go back inside a building until it is cleared and determined safe.

National Burn Awareness Week begins Sunday, providing an opportunity to promote awareness of burn safety. This year’s theme is “Burning Issues in the Kitchen.” Did you know kids under 5 are at greatest risk of serious scalds.

Wenham Fire Recue hosted a successful Toys-for-Tots donation drive for kids in need.. Department members collected toys at the station, with special guests Santa and Sparky the Fire Dog.

Wenham Fire Rescue would like to thank everyone who participated and donated.

WENHAM — Fire Chief Stephen Kavanagh would like to remind Wenham residents to practice safe grilling habits while cooking outdoors this season.

Each year Massachusetts fire departments respond to hundreds of fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.

“Grilling is a favorite summer hobby for many, but please be cautious when around any type of grill,” said Chief Kavanagh. “Should a grilling fire or other accident occur, please do not hesitate to dial 911, and be mindful of the common-sense steps you can take to prevent fires caused by grilling.”

Chief Kavanagh would like to share the following safety tips provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

Safety First

• Always grill outdoors.
• Grills cannot be used on a porch, balcony or deck with a roof, overhang or wall (other than the exterior of the building).
• Grills can only be used on open first floor porches, decks or patios if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or the porch is at ground level.
• Grills must be 10 feet from the side of a building unless the manufacturer’s instructions say it can be closer. Make sure grills are not underneath overhanging branches.
• Grills cannot be used on fire escapes.
• Place grills away from the house and deck railings.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from grills. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders. Keep all matches, lighters and lighter fluid away from children.

Gas Grill Safety

• Never leave a burning grill unattended.
• Make sure that the lid of a gas grill is open when you light it. Propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off.
• If you smell gas while cooking, turn off and get away from the grill. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
• Always turn off the burners and close the propane cylinder when you are done cooking.
• Keep all propane outdoors, at least 10 feet away from building openings such as doors, windows and dryer vents, and 20 feet away from air intake vents and ignition sources.
• Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.
• Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
• Replace propane cylinders that are old, rusty, or showing any other signs of disrepair.

Charcoal Grill Safety

• Use only charcoal starter fluid. Gasoline and kerosene should not be used to start a fire in a grill. Never add lighter fluid to burning briquettes or hot coals. Doing so may cause a flash fire and result in serious burn injuries.
• Charcoal briquettes give off carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area. Never use charcoal grills indoors.
• For proper disposal of grill ashes, allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal. If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.

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Wenham Fire Rescue receives new fire engine of their department. The department received Engine 4.

WENHAM–Chief Stephen Kavanagh reports that the Wenham Fire Department responded to a garage fire this evening caused by improper disposal of fireplace ashes.

At 5:43 p.m., the Wenham Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to 46 William Fairfield Drive. Upon arrival, scene commander Capt. John Joyce and responding crews observed heavy smoke coming from the garage of the home and quickly extinguished a smoldering trash can inside the garage.

Following an on-scene investigation, the Wenham Fire Department determined that the fire was the result of improper disposal of ashes from a fireplace inside the home earlier in the day.

“It can often take several hours for smoldering ashes to noticeably burn when they’ve been improperly disposed of, but thankfully a tragedy was averted in this case,” Chief Kavanaugh said.

The Wenham Fire Department wishes to share these tips for proper disposal of ashes and coals from the National Fire Protection Association:

• If possible, allow ashes and coals to cool in the area of the fire for several days. Chimneys and fire pits are designed to safely contain heat.
• When it is time to dispose of ashes, transfer them to a metal container and wet them down.
• Keep the metal container outdoors and away from combustibles
• Do not place any other refuse in the can with the ashes
• Do not use a combustible container to dispose of ashes

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, and the home suffered moderate smoke damage in the area of the fire.

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