Leah Comins

April 22, 2020 by Leah Comins

Raynham Fire Department Reminds Residents that Open Burning Ends May 1

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department would like to remind residents that the town’s open burning period ends Friday, May 1, at 4 p.m.

The Commonwealth’s annual burning period spans from Jan. 15 to May 1. Residents are able to burn brush, cane, driftwood, tree pruning and other forestry with a permit granted by their fire department.

Chief LaCivita would like to remind anyone who plans to use the remaining days of open burning that they must call the fire department at 508-824-2754 on the day they wish to burn. Also remember that open burning must be done at least 75 feet from all buildings, never leave a fire unattended and keep fire extinguishing materials handy while burning.

Chief LaCivita would like to thank residents for another safe open burning season this year.

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March 27, 2020 by Leah Comins

Raynham Transfer Station to Operate Under Adjusted Hours Beginning Tuesday

RAYNHAM — Police Chief James Donovan and Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Bryan LaCivita announce that the Raynham Transfer Station will operate under adjusted hours beginning Tuesday, March 31 to allow for residents to have more access to the station.

Effective Tuesday and continuing until further notice, the transfer station will be open to Raynham residents only Tuesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. The station is closed Sunday and Monday.

The station’s hours were originally cut back to encourage social distancing and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The hours have now been expanded to include additional days to ensure residents are able to get rid of their waste to keep their homes sanitary during this public health emergency.

Residents are asked to be diligent in reducing the time of their visit and to practice good hygiene and social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet from transfer station staff and other residents.

Glass recycling is closed and other types of recycling may be restricted or closed at any time in order to reduce the amount of time residents are at the station to unload materials. The brush pile remains closed until further notice.

The Highway Department Office remains closed to the public through at least April 7.

These temporary measures will be reviewed on a continuous basis. When changes are necessary, they will be communicated to the public.

Residents can visit the Town’s official website and the Highway Department voicemail at 508-824-2718 for updates.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) website by clicking here and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website by clicking here.

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March 6, 2020 by Leah Comins

Raynham Fire Department Provides Information About Novel Coronavirus

No Confirmed or Suspected Cases in Raynham

Risk Remains Low Throughout Massachusetts

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department wish to provide residents with the latest information regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as federal and state officials continue to monitor the virus domestically and internationally.

As of noon on Friday, March 6, there is currently one confirmed case and seven presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). There are no confirmed or suspected cases of the virus in Raynham at this time. Health officials report that the risk of contracting the virus remains low, with the incidence rate significantly lower than the incidence rate of the seasonal flu.

The Raynham Fire Department remains in close contact with the Raynham Health Department and the DPH. Raynham Fire will be following all DPH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to ensure the department is fully prepared to provide emergency services to the Town of Raynham should COVID-19 become widespread.

Last month, the CDC reported the first cases of community spread of the virus in the United States in western states, and 11 people in the United States have since died from the virus. New cases of the virus nationwide have come to light this week as well, and as of noon on Friday, March 6, the CDC is reporting 164 cases of the virus in the United States, including those who contracted the virus from person-to-person spread, travel and those whose cases are under investigation. There are additionally 49 people with the virus who were repatriated to the United States from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship and Wuhan, China.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days of exposure. The DPH reports that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia in severe cases. If you suspect that you are ill with a respiratory disease, or have been informed that you have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your primary care provider immediately.

In an effort to prevent the spread of flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses, residents are recommended to take the following precautionary measures outlined by DPH:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Always cover your cough or sneeze.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay at home if you are sick.
Disinfect surfaces, especially high-traffic surfaces such as doorknobs or counter tops.

At this time, the DPH is not recommending people wear masks in public as the risk to the public remains low and there is no substantial evidence suggesting wearing a mask protects an individual outside of preventing someone from spreading a respiratory illness to others in a clinic waiting room.

As of March 4, the CDC is currently urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Italy, China, Iran and South Korea, which are designated “Warning Level 3.” Additionally, the CDC and Governor Charlie Baker have stated that those who return to the U.S. after visiting any Level 3 country “should stay home and monitor their health during travel and for 14 days after returning to the United States.”

For the most up-to-date information, visit the DPH’s website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

Town officials will keep you informed of updates or changes as they are advised by local and state departments of public health.

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March 5, 2020 by Leah Comins

Raynham Fire Department Reminds Residents to Test Fire and CO Alarms During Daylight Saving

Daylight Saving Time Begins March 8 at 2 a.m.

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department would like to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when setting the clocks ahead for daylight saving time.

Daylight saving begins on Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m.

“Not all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the same, so it’s important to check the manufacturer’s instructions for your devices to ensure your detectors are replaced at the correct age,” Chief LaCivita said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50% and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The Raynham Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to continue to keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief LaCivita recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
Develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household.

For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Raynham Fire Department at 508-824-2713.

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February 14, 2020 by Leah Comins

Raynham Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

From left to right: Chief Bryan LaCivita, Firefighter/Paramedic Cody Medairos and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey at the MFA Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 280 graduation on Friday, Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

From left to right: Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Pillsbury, Firefighter/Paramedic Cody Medairos and Lt. Bill Trautman at the MFA Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 280 graduation on Friday, Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita is pleased to announce that Firefighter/Paramedic Cody Medairos graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) on Friday, Feb. 14.

Firefighter Medairos was among the 34 firefighters representing 20 departments to graduate from the MFA’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 280. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow today.

The 10-week program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, such as safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack.

Medairos, age 24, started with the Raynham Fire Department in 2016 as a Call Firefighter/EMT. He was hired full-time in December 2018 and became a certified paramedic in September 2019.

Following his graduation from the academy, Medairos is now certified as a Firefighter I/II and certified in Hazardous Materials Operations.

“The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy training is a rigorous course that prepares our firefighters for the full range of situations they may encounter in their careers,” Chief LaCivita said. “We are very proud of Firefighter Medairos for this achievement and congratulate him on this next step in his career.”

The other 33 graduates represented the fire departments of Andover, Clinton, Concord, Dennis, Devens, Harwich, Holden, Lexington, North Andover, North Attleboro, North Reading, Norwood, Revere, Sudbury, Truro, Watertown, Wayland, Wrentham and Yarmouth.

About the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy:
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, firefighter recruits learn a wide range of skills in an intensive 10-week program. Certified and more experienced firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. Students are given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.

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