Charity

Watertown Police, Firefighters Come Together to Distribute Toys to Families in Need

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A table full of toys at the Watertown Police Station, just a fraction of the gifts that were distributed by Watertown Police officers and Firefighters to families in need in town on Thursday. The toy drive was organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation. Thursday morning, the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station turned into Santa’s Workshop, with toys for children of all ages piled up around the room. These gifts were delivered to families around Watertown, and beyond, who otherwise may not have a very Merry Christmas. All morning, Watertown Police officers, Watertown Firefighters, and others filled large plastic bags with gifts, and delivered them to more than 90 families around town.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Welcomes Newest Firefighter

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The Watertown Fire Department welcomed Cory Donahue as the newest member of the Department. 

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll appointed Donahue as a firefighter for the Town of Watertown, effective Sunday, November 4, 2018. The Watertown Fire Department welcomed him on its Instagram page: Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Cory Donahue as he begins his career with the Watertown Fire Department.

Fire Safety

Watertown Fire Department Spreading Fire Safety to Youth, Seniors With SAFE Grant

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Watertown Firefighters visited every elementary school this year and also installed fire alarms for seniors around town with the help of the fire safety grants. In January the Watertown Fire Department received $5,407 in Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) grant and $2,813 in Senior SAFE grant. “We applied for the grant and got it in 2017,” said Capt. Ryan Nicholson, the WFD’s S.A.F.E and Senior SAFE Program Coordinator. “It was the first time we got it in about 10 years.” In the Spring, S.A.F.E. Educators Firefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. and Firefighter Shane Gleason visited every third grade classroom at each of Watertown’s three elementary schools.

Around Town

Work of Watertown Police, Firefighters Recognized by Post Office with Special Stamp

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The U.S. Postal Service honored Watertown’s police officers and firefighters  Thursday with the unveiling of a stamp recognizing first responders. 

The Post Office is presenting local departments with a plaque featuring a larger image of the limited edition stamps. Linda Beattie, manager of Watertown’s three post offices, presented the plaques to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn, Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Dan Tardif, and Watertown Firefighter and EMT David Meagher during a ceremony at the Watertown Police Station. “For the work they did with the Boston Marathon bombers, we wanted to recognize them for their heroic actions,” Beattie said. “It has a special meaning for this town.” The stamp features three figures: a red firefighter holding an ax, a white paramedic holding a medical bag, and a blue police office shining a flashlight into the dark background partially filled with smoke.

Police/Fire

Fire Destroys Several Vehicles at Watertown Auto Body Shop

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A late night fire at a Watertown auto body shop damaged nine vehicles to varying degrees. 

On Oct. 3, 2018, the Watertown Fire Department responded to a fire at Perfection Auto Body at 2:29 a.m.

Firefighters gained access to the business on Pleasant Street and found several vehicles ablaze and they put out the flames. The fire started in one vehicle and spread to eight others, according to a report from the Watertown Fire Department. It totaled or damaged nine vehicles, according to Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Teaming With Domino’s for Fire Safety Week & Hosting Open House

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The week of Oct. 7 to 13 is National Fire Prevention Week, and the Watertown Fire Department has a couple of events plan, including a partnership with Dominos and and open house at the Fire Headquarters. The Watertown Fire Department provided the following information:

Each year for a week in October we try to bring awareness to fire risks and educate the public on how they can make their homes safer. This year’s Fire Prevention Week focus, which runs from Oct. 7 through Oct.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Fire Chief Remembers Fallen Colleagues; Wants a Progressive, Safe Department

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Watertown’s new Fire Chief said he will continue the tradition of his predecessors and work to make the department progressive and well trained while ensuring members of the department are safe and healthy. He also remembered a pair of recently lost members of the Watertown Fire Department. Robert “Bob” Quinn officially became the Chief of the Watertown Fire Department Thursday afternoon, after being sworn in in front of a packed room in the Watertown Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room. After being introduced by Town Manager Michael Driscoll and taking the oath from Town Clerk John Flynn, Quinn said: “It is certainly a very proud moment in my career becoming chief of this great Department. I look forward to serving the citizens of Watertown in this role.”

Bob Quinn

Watertown’s Next Fire Chief Named by Town Manager

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{UPDATED Sept. 6 at 9:05 a.m.: The location fo the swearing in has been changed, see below}

Watertown’s next fire chief will be a familiar face — Bob Quinn — a 31 year veteran of the department who has served as provisional chief for the past 10 months. 

Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that Quinn would be the new Fire Chief on Wednesday. He succeeds Mario Orangio, who retired in the summer of 2017 and died of cancer in November 2017. Quinn will be sworn in during ceremony at the Watertown Free Public Library on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. He said he was excited to be named chief. “I’m very excited to take on this responsibility for the Fire Department,” Quinn said.