Groveland Police Present Cedardale with Appreciation Award

pentucketporta on June 7, 2017

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that the Groveland Police Department honored Cedardale Groveland this morning for its continued support and contributions to the Bagnall Elementary School’s sixth grade field day.

Groveland Police presented members of Cedardale with an appreciation award for their more than 25-year commitment to the community, particularly the Bagnall Elementary School, which hosts its annual field day at the Cedardale campus.

Organized by the Groveland Police Association, under the leadership of the Sgt. Dwight McDonald and Officer Joshua Sindoni, the sixth grade field day brings students to Cedardale for swimming, field games, sports and a cookout.

“This event wouldn’t be possible if not for the generosity of Cedardale and its manager Brian Sullivan,” Chief Gillen said. “We look forward to continuing this partnership to provide fun activities for students at a great facility for years to come.”

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West Newbury, Groveland and Merrimac Officials Conduct Mock Fatal OUI Car Crash for Students

pentucketporta on May 17, 2017

WEST NEWBURY —  The West Newbury, Groveland and Merrimac police and fire departments conducted a simulated fatal motor vehicle crash in front the junior and senior classes at Pentucket Regional High School today to demonstrate the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

On Monday, May 15, at 1 p.m., students gathered outside to observe a mock crash between two vehicles — the result of one operator driving while under the influence of alcohol. Police and fire arrived on scene to find one of the victims outside of the vehicle, who was pronounced dead on scene. Firefighters then worked to extricate passengers from the vehicles, who were played by students in the Pentucket Regional High School’s Safety & Public Service Academy and Pentucket Arts Academy.

Police officers conducted a field sobriety test on the driver and then placed him under arrest after determining he was intoxicated. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Matthew Routhier also arrived on scene to investigate the crash.

Atlantic Ambulance transported injured students, while a hearse from Paul C. Rodgers & Sons Funeral Homes picked up the victim who was pronounced dead.

Following the demonstration, students gathered in the school auditorium for a debriefing where they were given the opportunity to ask fire and police officials questions.

About the Innovation Academies at Pentucket Regional High School:
Innovation Academies (like the Pentucket Safety & Public Service Academy) offer students unique learning opportunities not found in most schools. The programs allow students to take highly specialized courses in their area of interest, learning both in the classroom and community. Students work with staff to develop connections between their area of interest and their post high school, college and career plans.

An injured student in the mock car crash is loaded into an ambulance to be transported to the hospital.

An injured student in the mock car crash is loaded into an ambulance to be transported to the hospital.

The intoxicated driver was placed under arrest by West Newbury Police.

The intoxicated driver was placed under arrest by West Newbury Police.

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Merrimac Fire Department Participates in Fire Prevention Week, Focus on Replacing Smoke Alarms

pentucketporta on October 10, 2016

The Merrimac Fire Department, as part of Fire Prevention Week, are reminding residents to check and change their smoke alarms, which are the first line of defense in the event of a home fire.

Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 9-15. This year’s focus is to remind residents to replace smoke alarms every 10 years, through the “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” campaign.

According to data from the National Fire Protection Association and the United States Fire Administration, the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at an increased risk in the event of a house fire. Here are three key messages residents should know regarding smoke alarms:

• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
• Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.
• To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm. The alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of death in half in reported home fires. When a smoke alarm fails to operate, it is usually because the batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.

According to the United States Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths in the United States were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms between 2009-2013.

There are two types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Each type of technology is designed to alert you to fire or smoke conditions. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to fast, flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to slower, smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that, on average, seven people die in U.S. homes fires per day. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment. Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths. Most fatal fires kill one or two people, however in 2014, 15 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 88 deaths.

For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

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