May is National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about boating and swimming safety. According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year, which is an average of 11 deaths per day. During 2023, the American Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents that resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries.

National Water Safety Month aims to educate people about the importance of safe swimming and boating through tips and resources.

The U.S. Coast Guard observes National Boating Safety Week this year from May 17-23, starting the weekend before Memorial Day, to encourage safe boating habits. Their campaign shares the importance of habits like wearing a life jacket, getting a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard and being aware of weather conditions before leaving the shore. For more information, visit safeboatingcampaign.com

From left, Firefighters/Paramedics Joseph Gill, Justin Bernoskevich and Thomas Kelleher were three of 15 graduates from 10 different departments in the Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class #BW34 on Friday, May 2. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Fire Services)

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita is pleased to share that three Raynham firefighters successfully completed and graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighter Academy (MFA) on Friday, May 2.

Firefighters/Paramedics Justin Bernoskevich, Joseph Gill and Thomas Kelleher were three of 15 graduates in the Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class #BW34.

Firefighter/Paramedic Bernoskevich received the Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award, which is presented to one recruit in each graduating career recruit training class. The award is named for the longtime chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council and reflects the recruit’s academic and practical skills, testing and evaluations over the course of the 10-week program.

During the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, students received classroom training in all basic firefighter skills, practicing first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students needed to demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack, ranging from mailbox fires to multi-floor structural fires.

The graduates are now certified to the levels of Firefighter I and II, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

“I want to congratulate Firefighters/Paramedics Justin Bernoskevich, Joseph Gill and Thomas Kelleher on their recent graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighter Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program,” Chief LaCivita said. “We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to watching them grow in their careers.”

The other 12 graduates of Class #BW34 represent the fire departments of Dennis, Eastham, Franklin, Hopedale, Marshfield, Norwood, Sandwich, Somerset and Whitman.

“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”

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The Raynham Fire Department and mutual aid partners extinguished a fire in a mobile home on Broadway on Sunday night. (Photo Courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

RAYNHAM — Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita reports that the Raynham Fire Department, with assistance from mutual aid partners and the Raynham Police Department, extinguished a fire in a mobile home on Sunday night.

On Sunday, May 4, at approximately 10:23 p.m., Raynham Fire responded to reports of a structure fire at 1540 Broadway.

Raynham Police arrived on the scene first and reported that a mobile home was on fire.

When Raynham Fire arrived, crews found heavy fire showing from the rear of the mobile home. The occupants had already safely evacuated and were outside with bystanders.

The two occupants were transported by ambulance to Morton Hospital in Taunton to be evaluated.

Raynham Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire with the help of mutual aid partners, Raynham Police and off-duty Raynham firefighters.

The Bridgewater, Easton, Taunton and West Bridgewater fire departments and Brewster Ambulance provided mutual aid at the scene, while the Middleborough Fire Department provided station coverage.

The residents will be displaced as the mobile home was deemed a total loss.

Crews cleared the fire scene at 12:30 a.m. Monday.

“Our crews made a quick and aggressive attack to prevent this fire from spreading any further,” Chief LaCivita said. “I also want to thank all of our mutual aid partners and the Raynham Police Department for their prompt and professional response to this incident.”

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The Raynham Fire Department and mutual aid partners extinguished a fire in a mobile home on Broadway on Sunday night. (Photo Courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

Raynham Fire and Raynham Police work together to open a fire hydrant at the scene of a mobile home fire on Broadway on Sunday night. (Photo Courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

Raynham Fire Capt. Jeffrey Kelleher and his son, Raynham Firefighter Thomas Kelleher, at the scene of Sunday night’s mobile home fire. (Photo Courtesy Raynham Fire Department)

 

National Mental Health Month, observed each May, promotes mental wellness through an annual theme. Mental Health America’s theme for 2025 is “Turn Awareness into Action.” This initiative encourages people to recognize the strides that have been made in decreasing the stigma around mental health, while also working to transform this understanding into actions to create change.

According to Mental Health America, nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition each year, and 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their lifetime. 54.7% of these adults will not receive any mental health treatment.

The initiative aims to educate people on the importance of taking action regarding mental health, both for oneself and in the form of helping others. Ways to participate include taking a mental health screening or getting certified in Mental Health First Aid to assist someone in a mental health crisis.