Around Town

Memorial to Fallen Firefighter Dedicated Near Where He Gave His Life Serving Watertown

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The corner of Merrifield and Bigelow avenues in East Watertown was the site of a tragedy a year ago, but on Saturday it was a place where family, friends and fellow firefighters came to celebrate the memory of Joseph Toscano. A memorial was unveiled at that corner to honor Toscano, who died in the line of duty while fighting a fire at a home on Merrifield Avenue on March 17, 2017. Current and retired members of the Watertown Fire Department came out for the ceremony in large numbers and were joined by honor guards from Watertown Fire, Watertown Police and members of other fire departments. Two ladder trucks formed an arch over Bigelow Avenue and a podium was set up for the ceremony. Joe’s widow, Maureen, said that all this would have been strange for Toscano.

Police/Fire

Dedication of Fallen Watertown Firefighter’s Memorial Taking Place on March 17

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A year after the Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano lost his life during a fire the Town and the Watertown Fire Department will honor him with the dedication of a memorial in East Watertown. The public is invited to the ceremony for Toscano, which will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2018, exactly a year after his “last alarm.” A plaque will be unveiled at the corner of Merrifield and Bigelow Avenues. A reception will be held afterward at the Metaxas/Hellenic Community Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. The plaque and the ceremony has been sponsored by a gift from Watertown Savings Bank.

Police/Fire

Memorial for Fallen Watertown Firefighter to be Unveiled A Year After the Tragedy

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In March, a year after Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano lost his life fighting a fire, a memorial in his name will be unveiled near the East End home where the tragedy occurred. 

At Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, East End Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis announced the date of the dedication. “Eleven months ago a tragedy occurred in our community,” Kounelis said. “There was a loss of life. Firefighter Joseph Toscano answered his final alarm on Merrifield Avenue.” On March 17, 2018 at 10 a.m., a plaque will be unveiled at the corner of Merrifield Avenue and Bigelow Avenue to memorialize Toscano.

Police/Fire

Fire Department Receives Grant to Teach Fire Safety in Watertown Schools

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The Watertown Fire Department is excited to announce our receiving S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE Grant funds from the state for the second year in a row. We have received $5,407 for S.A.F.E (Student Awareness of Fire Education) and $2,813 for Senior SAFE. Over the past year we were able to visit each third grade classroom in the district to educate the students on several topics including smoke and CO alarms, home escape planning, crawling low under smoke, and match and lighter safety. With the receipt of this year’s funds we hope to continue our efforts with the third grade and work on expanding to other grade levels. The funds will also help the fire department train more firefighters as Public Fire and Life Safety Educators through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Police/Fire

Firefighters, Police, Citizens Awarded for Saving Lives; Fire Personnel Sworn In

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Firefighters, police officers and others who acted quickly to save lives received awards for their good work Friday, and the Watertown Fire Department swore in their recently promoted and hired members. The Watertown Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room was packed with family members and well wishers for the ceremony. Acting Fire Chief Bob Quinn said he was happy to mark something positive after a tough stretch for the Fire Department during which Firefighter Joe Toscano died while fighting a fire and Fire Chief Mario Orangio was diagnosed and died from cancer linked to his fire service. “The last year and a half has been rough for the Watertown Fire Department,” Quinn said. “It is great to be here for a happy occasion.”

Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Blaze at Arsenal Street Restaurant

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A fire has broken out at the Flaming Pit Restaurant on Arsenal Street in Watertown. Initial reports said that the fire was in the rear of the Mediterranean restaurant at 222 Arsenal Street. The first calls came in shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night. As of 9:12 p.m. firefighters had doused the flames and were checking for hot spots, according to fire radio. The restaurant is located in the block of business next to the new Gables Apartment complex on Arsenal Street.

Police/Fire

Grant Allows Watertown Fire Department to Give Seniors Smoke Detectors

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With funds from the Senior SAFE Grant the Watertown Fire Department was able to conduct a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation program for seniors, said Watertown Fire Capt. Ryan Nicholson. “Seniors are one of our most at risk populations with regards to fire deaths across the state. Smoke alarms provide early warning during a fire when seconds count,” Nicholson said. This year our program was able to install 48 smoke alarms and 41 carbon monoxide alarms in 20 elderly resident’s homes, Nicholson said. In addition, each resident was provided a fire extinguisher and an opportunity to voice their questions and concerns with regards to fire safety in the home.

Mario Orangio

Watertown Says Goodbye to its Fire Chief Who Loved the WFD Almost as Much as His Family

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Friends, family and fellow firefighters packed St. Patrick’s Church Friday morning to say goodbye to Mario Orangio, a man who always had a smile on his face and who loved the Watertown Fire Department almost as much as he loved his family. 

The Watertown Fire Chief from February 2004 to October 2017, Orangio was as appointed chief when he was just 37. Father Matthew Conley, parochial vicar for St. Pat’s and Sacred Heart Catholic churches, who is also the Fire Department’s chaplain, said the pain of Orangio’s death was worsened by the fact that he was taken by pancreatic cancer at such a young age. “Adding to the sting of this day is that Mario was only 51 years old and battled a horrendous disease,” Conley said. “He was just too young.”