Georgetown Fire to Host Open House Next Week

October 5, 2018 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 5, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire to Host Open House Next Week

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred A. Mitchell Jr. would like to invite the community to attend the Georgetown Fire Department’s annual open house next week.

WHEN:

Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 4-7 p.m.

WHERE:

Georgetown Fire Department, 47 Central St.

WHAT:

Residents are invited to participate in the following activities at the Open House:

Explore apparatus
Firetruck tours
Fire hose challenge
Firefighters in gear demonstration

“We’re excited to once again spend the day interacting with the community and showing some of our residents different aspects of a firefighter’s job,” Chief Mitchell said. “We encourage community members to stop by, say hello and participate in a number of activities we’ll have available for children.”

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Georgetown Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused By Lightning

September 28, 2018 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 28, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused By Lightning

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred A. Mitchell Jr. reports that the Georgetown Fire Department extinguished a fire this week that ignited in a home’s kitchen following a lightning strike.

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, at approximately 11 p.m., the Georgetown Fire Department responded to a home on Elm Street for a report of smoke in the house.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a small kitchen fire in the area under the refrigerator in between the floor joists. After speaking with the homeowner, they determined that lightning had struck the home, causing the joists to ignite.

Crews quickly extinguished the blaze, and minimal damage occurred to the kitchen area.

The Groveland and Newbury Fire Departments also responded to the scene, while the West Newbury, Rowley, Boxford Fire Departments provided station coverage.

Firefighters cleared the scene around 1 a.m. No injuries were reported.

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Georgetown Fire Department Completes Ice Rescue Training

February 8, 2018 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire Department Completes Ice Rescue Training

The Georgetown Fire Department completed ice rescue training on Pentucket Pond. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Fire Department)

Georgetown firefighters wore special suits that protected them from the elements and allowed them to safely enter the frigid water on Pentucket Pond. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Fire Department)

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell Jr. reports that the Georgetown Fire Department completed ice rescue training on Pentucket Pond.

Georgetown has two large bodies of water in town — Pentucket and Rock ponds — that draw many people this time of year for skating and ice fishing.

On Jan. 27, 18 members of the Georgetown Fire Department headed over to the frozen Pentucket Pond to refine their rescue skills in the event that they’re called upon during an emergency.

Led by Cumberland, Rhode Island Fire Capt./Paramedic Robert Shields, who is also the town’s water rescue team coordinator, Georgetown firefighters reviewed safety measures before donning special “exposure” suits that enable a responder to enter frigid waters for a rescue.

After cutting a hole in the ice, one group of firefighters entered the icy-water, while another group practiced pulling them out and bringing them onto the shore. They then switched roles to ensure everyone was fully versed in all aspects of ice rescue techniques and safety.

In addition to the suits, firefighters reviewed and trained using a variety of equipment including a special “sled” equipped with two flotation pontoons that a firefighter stands on to move about safely on thin ice. The sled also helps to move a victim off ice or water for safe transportation to the shore.

“This is invaluable training for firefighters and I want to thank Capt. Shields for coming to Georgetown to train our crew,” Chief Mitchell said. “His expertise and years of experience in the field were extremely beneficial for these exercises. I’m confident firefighters are now fully prepared in the event that we are called to respond to an incident on the ice.”

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Georgetown Firefighters Graduate from State Firefighting Academy

March 7, 2017 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Firefighters Graduate from State Firefighting Academy

Left to right: Firefighter Daniel Higgins, Chief Fred Mitchell and and Firefighter Daniel Manning. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Fire Department)

Left to right: Deputy Chief Rusty Ricker, Firefighter Daniel Higgins, Chief Fred Mitchell, Firefighter Daniel Manning and his father, Firefighter Jeff Manning. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Fire Department)

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell is pleased to announce that two firefighters from the Georgetown Fire Department graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy yesterday.

Firefighters Daniel Higgins and Daniel Manning completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class 63. The ceremony, which was held at Pentucket Regional Middle School in Groveland on Monday, March 6 at 7 p.m., recognized 30 men and eight women.

Firefighter Manning, 21, joined the department in August 2014. He previously served as the Vice President of the Georgetown Explorer Post 81. As part of his training, Firefighter Manning received a certificate of completion from Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System 100, 200 and 700. He currently works for Shea Concrete.

Firefighter Higgins, 26, joined the department in September 2015. He is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and has a certificate of completion from FEMA ISC 100, 200 and 700. Firefighter Higgins is part-owner of All Pro Window Cleaning Service.

“I would like to congratulate Firefighter Higgins and Firefighter Manning on completing such a time consuming and rigorous training program,” Chief Mitchell said. “It’s no easy feat to graduate from the fire academy, and I know they will be an essential asset to the department and to the Georgetown community.”

Firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling.

To graduate, firefighters were required to complete 240 hours of training on nights and weekends, while demonstrating proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack (ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires).

The remaining graduates represent the 14 fire departments of Boxford, Groveland, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Tyngsborough, Wenham and West Newbury.

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Photo: Georgetown Fire Department Wears Pink During October to Support Breast Cancer

October 26, 2016 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire Department Wears Pink During October to Support Breast Cancer

Left to right: Firefighter Nick Bruno, Firefighter Brian Belfiore, Chief Fred Mitchell, Deputy Chief Rusty Ricker and Firefighter Daniel Higgins. (Courtesy Photo)

GEORGETOWN – Chief Fred Mitchell Jr. is pleased to announce that members of the Georgetown Fire Department have been wearing pink shirts throughout October to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM).

BCAM occurs every October and is an international health campaign that works to increase awareness about the disease and to raise money to support research into its cause, prevention efforts, diagnosis, treatment, and to eventually find a cure.

Every year, Georgetown firefighters wear the pink shirts to show their support for all those affected by breast cancer.

“This is an annual cause that we’re happy to support,” Chief Mitchell said. “For many of us, we know someone affected by breast cancer, and our goal is to help raise awareness by wearing pink every October.”

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Georgetown Fire Department Reminds Community of Open House This Weekend

October 5, 2016 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire Department Reminds Community of Open House This Weekend

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred A. Mitchell, Jr. would like to remind residents that the Georgetown Fire Department is hosting its annual open house this weekend.

WHERE

Georgetown Fire Department, 47 Central St.

WHEN

Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHAT

Residents are invited to participate in the following activities at the Open House:

Fire safety house tours
Fire truck tours
Interactive fire extinguisher simulation
Firefighters in gear demonstration
Learn firefighting skills with authentic training equipment — make your way through the entanglement prop, and show your strength with the forcible entry prop

In addition, firefighters will be conducting the Junior Firefighter Challenge for children all day. The challenge includes working the Keiser force machine (sledge hammer), an obstacle course, a tunnel crawl, rescuing a mannequin and operating a hose.

Vehicle extrication demonstrations will take place at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Provisions will be in place in the event of inclement weather.

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Photos: Georgetown Fire Department Welcomes Girl Scout Troop for Visit at Fire Station

April 22, 2016 by Chelsea Belliveau

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 22, 2016

Contact: Chelsea Curley
Phone: 508-517-7119
Email: chelsea@jgpr.net

Photos: Georgetown Fire Department Welcomes Girl Scout Troop for Visit at Fire Station

Girl Scout Troop 75275 visited the Georgetown Fire Station on April 19. (Photo Courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 75275)

During their visit to the Georgetown Fire Station, Girl Scout Troop 75275 brought homemade cupcakes for the firefighters. (Photo Courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 75275)

GEORGETOWN – Chief Fred Mitchell Jr. is pleased to announce that Girl Scout Troop 75275 visited the Georgetown Fire Department last week to meet firefighters and tour the station.

On Tuesday, April 19, Girl Scouts from troop 75275 stopped by the station, making sure to don their pink fire hats while interacting with the town’s fire crew. As a thank you to firefighters for participating in the outing and for their service, the girls brought homemade cupcakes for all those with a sweet tooth to enjoy.

“We are always more than happy to welcome our young residents to the station to learn more about fire safety and meet their local firefighters,” Chief Mitchell said. “Lucky for us, this time they brought some delicious treats!”

During their visit, the girls were able to meet the firefighters, talk to the Chief and take pictures on the ladder truck.

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Georgetown Firefighters Graduate from State Firefighting Academy

March 4, 2016 by Jessica Sacco

Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 4, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Firefighters Graduate from State Firefighting Academy

Firefighter Marcos Dasilva, Chief Fred Mitchell and Firefighter Christopher Hunt (Courtesy Photo)

Firefighter Marcos Dasilva, Chief Fred Mitchell, retired Georgetown Fire Chief Al Beardsley and Firefighter Christopher Hunt

Firefighter Marcos Dasilva, retired Georgetown Fire Chief Al Beardsley and Firefighter Christopher Hunt

Firefighter Robin Gariepy, Firefighter Donna Robbins, Firefighter Marcos Dasilva, Chief Fred Mitchell, Firefighter Cam Moyer and Firefighter Christopher Hunt

Firefighter Donna Robbins, Firefighter Marcos Dasilva, Firefighter Cam Moyer, Firefighter Christopher Hunt and Firefighter Robin Gariepy

GEORGETOWN – Chief Fred Mitchell Jr. is pleased to announce that Firefighters Christopher Hunt and Marcos Dasilva graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy yesterday.

Hunt and Dasilva are two of the 32 graduates from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program Class 57. A ceremony was held at the Pentucket Regional Middle School in West Newbury on March 3.

Both men are Georgetown natives and started with the department in August.

“Firefighter Hunt and Firefighter Dasilva are dedicated members and will be great assets to the department,” Chief Mitchell said. “We are proud of the both of them for completing their training at the academy and we are excited to have them on board.”

The intensive nine-week state firefighting academy for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, skills training and live firefighting practice.

Firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling.

To graduate, firefighters were required to demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack (ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires).

The remaining 30 graduates, 29 men and one woman, represent fire departments in Boxford, Groveland, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Merrimac, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, West Newbury, and Westford.

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