More Snow Means More Adoptable Wellesley Hydrants

Are you adopting a Wellesley fire hydrant?

  Another winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the ground, and may have buried some of the town's fire fydrants--which is where you come in. Adopting a hydrant doesn't require feeding or walking, but a little shoveling. It also gives Department of Public Works and Fire Department some much-needed help. The Adopt a Fire Hydrant program was announced on the Town Website in February. Adopting a hydrant is a three-step process: According to the Selectmen, over 100 hydrants were adopted after the February storm. However, there are over 1,400 hydrants in the town.

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Will you Adopt a Wellesley Fire Hydrant?

DPW and Fire Department asking residents to clear fire hydrants, launch adopted hydrant map.

  If a Hydrant is Buried in Wellesley, Does Anyone Shovel It Out? The town certainly hopes so. In case what remains of the two-feet of snow that fell is not enough of a reminder of the Blizzard that landed in New England over the weekend, the town has one more: With over 1,400 fire hydrants in town, the Department of Public Works and Fire Department are asking for a hand clearing the snow. The Adopt a Fire Hydrant program was announced on the Town Website a few days ago.  Adopting a hydrant is a three-step process. In the announcement, Fire Chief Rick DeLorie and Director of Public Works Michael Pakstis add: "Please be careful and aware of roadway traffic if you are able to assist with clearing a hydrant and thank you for volunteering to …

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Empty School Bus Reportedly Rolls Across Grove Street in Wellesley

Wellesley Police and Fire are on-the-scene.

Wellesley police and fire are reportedly are at the scene of a school bus accident on Grove Street in Wellesley. No one was onboard; the bus was empty was it. There are no injuries. Police say somehow, the bus rolled across the street. Stay with Wellesley Patch for more detail as we get it. [Updated 7 p.m.]

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Wellesley Fire Department Mechanic Has Heart Attack on Way to Work

The fire chief announced he was saddened by the passing of William Miller, the department apparatus mechanic.

Wellesley Fire Department Mechanic Has Heart Attack on Way to Work

The fire chief announced he was saddened by the passing of William Miller, the department apparatus mechanic.

  Fire Chief Rick DeLorie announced yesterday that the apparatus mechanic for the department, William Miller, died on the way to work yesterday morning of an apparent heart attack. He was described as a "terrific person and an excellent fire apparatus mechanic." In a letter published on the Swellesley Report, DeLorie added "Bill was truly a professional and was always looking to advance the fire apparatus mechanics profession advocating to increase specialized certifications." See the full letter on the Swellesley Report.

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Wellesley PD Officer Runs into Burning Building

A few weeks from retirement, a Wellesley officer runs into a burning building to check for occupants in last night's fire. There are no reported injuries.

An officer from Wellesley was the first on the scene--and inside the building--at a fire on Ashmont Street last night. Monday afternoon, around 4 p.m., Wellesley Police Officer Rick Weaver was driving to a traffic detail when he came upon the garage fire, according to a post on the Wellesley Police Department website. With the help of a passing FedEx driver, he forced his way into the house to check for occupants. He double-checked the house--looking inside a room located over the fire--and only after confirming it was empty did he flee to safety.  In addition to police and fire teams from Wellesley, Newton and Weston fire departments also responded to help put out the flames. About half an hour later, reports came in that much of the fire…

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UPDATE: Attached Garage on Fire on Ashmont Road in Wellesley Knocked Down

Heavy garage fire at 24 Ashmont Road has been knocked down, but firefighters are still splitting open attic walls of the attached house to chase some flames.

[Update 7:47 p.m.]: Wellesley Fire Officials indicate that they are still investigating the cause of the fire. They also report that the first police officer on the scene went into the home to confirm that no one was home. There were no occupants and no injuries reported in the fire.  [Update 4:28 p.m.]: Latest reports indicate that part of the fire has been knocked down, but that firefighters are still chasing some of the flames, and splitting open walls, in the attic of the nearly 1400 sq. ft. wood-framed split-level house. Original story: 24 Ashmont Road in Wellesley is the scene of a garage fire today, according to reports that started coming in shortly after 4 p.m.  Scanner reports say the attached garage was showing flame.  In …

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National Fire Prevention Week Tips

Check out these fire safety tips for kids and families!

  Oct. 7-13, 2012, is National Fire Prevention Week. National Fire Prevention Week is an annual public awareness campaign to promote fire safety throughout the U.S. This year’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!” which focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.  Created and sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the goal of National Fire Prevention Week is to educate families on what causes home fires, how to prevent them, and what to do in an emergency situation. NFPA has been the official sponsor of this campaign since 1922, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record. “National Fire Prevention Week is critical in educating the public about the dangers of fire and how to…

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How to Dispose of Sharps in Wellesley

Sept. 10 marked the beginning of local initiative to take back used needles, syringes and other “sharps.”

A statewide ban on trashing items known as “sharps” went into effect in July. In Wellesley, you can return needles and syringes daily at the Fire Station. There will be a kiosk at the Wellesley Fire Department open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, according to information from the town website. The initiative began Sept. 10. “Sharps should be brought in small capped, sturdy, puncture and leak-proof containers (such as a 16 oz. coffee can, rigid plastic container or approved 1 quart sharps container),” the site says. “Residents will be asked to place the container into a designated kiosk. Replacement sharps containers will be available for free at the Fire Department or Health Department for a limited time.” It is illegal to throw such …

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Officials Fight Shed Fire on Old Town Road

Police and fire officials extinguished a shed fire late last night.

Wellesley police and fire officials fought a fire on Old Town Road last night. Reports at about 10:30 p.m. indicated a shed was ablaze at 15 Old Town Road. The Wellesley Police Department posted a photo of the fire just before midnight on the department's Facebook page.

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