Watertown Fire Log: Suspicious Packages, Dumpster Fire

The following information was provided by the Watertown Fire Dept., and includes items from April 22 to 27.

April 22 A rollover car accident was reported at 4:09 p.m. on Fayette Street at Church Street. The driver, a woman, complained of slight rib pain and was taken by ambulance to Mt. Auburn Hospital. A second person involved in the accident had neck and arm pain and was also taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital. April 24 A suspicious package was reported on Belmont Street at 12:28 p.m. A trash bag with undetonated fireworks was found in a clothing donation bin. An employee unloading the bin noticed the bag. The area was bloacked off and state police and the FBI were called in. See related story and the connection to the Marathon bombing suspects. A suspicious package was also reported on Common Street at Middlesex Road. Firefighters blocked off the …

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Watertown Rescue's Actions Helped Save MBTA Officer's Life

Watertown firefighters Caruso and Menton said training, instincts kicked in at the critical moment.

It was a typical 24-hour shift for Watertown Fire Department firefighters James Caruso and Patrick Menton assigned to the department's rescue ambulance; a few medical calls and some training. Pretty routine for a Thursday, Caruso would remember.  But the everyday would within minutes transform into a maelstrom of bullets and bombs. The pair rushed to aid a police officer in a Watertown neighborhood, hit in an exchange of gunfire with the alleged Boston Marathon bombers.  "From calm to chaos," said Menton. Caruso and Menton have worked together periodically on the ambulance which is Caruso's assignment. In fact, Menton was only scheduled to accompany Caruso after James' usual partner's wife gave birth earlier on April 18. The pair — …

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Photo Gallery: Watertown's Moment of Silence

As a cold breeze whipped the flags above the Watertown Fire Station on the brightest afternoon in weeks, Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio led his men outside in front of the bays housing the ladder truck, engines and ambulances that were busy all day long, rushing out to calls. In the wind they stood waiting for a moment to remember. And at 2:50 p.m., Monday, April 22, precisely a week to the minute when a pair of bombs shattered the normal bustle near the finishing stretch of the Boston Marathon, Orangio ordered his men to attention and acknowleged a moment of silence for the four killed and hundreds wounded at the hands of two brothers who planted bombs and shot cops in fits of terrorism. Small groups and individuals joined the …

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Watertown Fire Chief: Watertown Firefighters Helped Save Injured Officer, Assisted with Search for Bomber

Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio expresses his pride in the job done by the Fire Department during the days of chaos.

  After spending nearly 24 straight hours coordinating the Watertown Fire Department's response to this massive effort, I am pleased to provide the following report; By now I'm certain you have heard the harrowing accounts of the heroic actions of our first responders.  As the details of the fierce gun battle Friday morning on our streets emerge we will all know the extent of that true heroism, particularly from our police officers.  (Police) Chief (Edward) Deveau has all the reason in the world to be proud of his people as we all should be of him and them. I too am quite proud of the members of the fire department who continued to provide routine day to day protection on a day that was far, far from routine. Our crews also assisted with …

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Watertown Firefighters Douse Fire in Garbage Truck

Garbage ignited in the back of the truck.

A garbage truck driver got a surprise while doing his route this morning when he saw smoke coming from the back of the truck. The driver headed to the nearest fire station to have the fire doused, said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Tardiff.  "He pulled up in front of Station 3 on Orchard Street and we put the fire out," Tardiff said. The truck arrived at the fire station at about 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, and the fire was out in just a few minutes. What started the fire is not clear, Tardiff said. "We are not sure what started the fire," Tardiff said. "On his route (the driver) picked up something that was on fire." Tardiff said residents should be careful when throwing out coals, charred wood and other things that have been on fire. "When…

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Watertown Fire Chief to Attend National Fire Academy Program

Chief Mario A. Orangio will begin a executive fire officer program in January.

The following information is from the Watertown Fire Department:  The Watertown Fire Department is pleased to announce that Chief Mario A. Orangio has been accepted into and will begin the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy’s (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program in January 2013. “Just to be accepted into the program is a great honor for me. Having the ability to network with the senior fire officials from around the world who attend the program alone, will prove to be a treasured professional experience,” said Orangio. “Additionally, through this program and the research I will be required to conduct, I have the opportunity to potentially make significant changes to fire and emergency services organizations both in the U.S. …

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Two-Alarm Fire on Orchard Street Watertown Damages a Two-Family Home

Residents escaped the fire with no injury, but a pet cat died from smoke inhalation.

A two-alarm fire that struck the house at 81 Orchard St. in Watertown began in the basement of the two-story home, said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Robert Quinn. The fire began just after 4 p.m. at the two-family home, located across the street from the Victory Field football turf. One of the families was at home when the fire started and they were able to get out. A pet cat and a chinchilla were saved, Quinn said, but a second cat died from smoke inhalation.  A second alarm was called soon after firefighters arrived, but fire crews had doused the flames by about 4:40 p.m. and they were checking for any spread of the blaze. For up-to-the-minute news on this and other stories follow Watertown Patch on Twitter and Facebook or subscribe to …

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Watertown Fire Chief Concerned Short Staffing Could Lead to a Tragedy

The fire and police budgets were approved, but the chiefs of both departements say they need more personnel on duty.

Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio remains concerned about short staffing in his department due to the Fiscal 2013, which the Town Council approved Tuesday. He worries could lead to a tragedy. Watertown often has 16 firefighters on duty, but Orangio told the council last week that he believes there should be at least 19 firefighters on duty at all times. Sometimes the department is left with as few as 14 firefighters if the town's ambulance is taking a patient to the hospital. Orangio said he needs a minimum of 16 firefighters to safely put out a house fire. “What will happen is there will be a tragedy, like they had in Charlestown, like in Randolph, like in Haverhill, and they will increase staffing then,” Orangio said Tuesday after the …

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Fire Chief Rips Watertown Public Safety Study, While Police Chief Welcomes Findings

Fire Chief Mario Orangio disapproved of the recommendation of having a minimum of 16 firefighters on duty, and said an early draft recommended 17.

The Public Safety report examining the Fire and Police Departments received mixed reviews from the two departments – one welcomed the review and the other blasted the findings. Representatives from The Matrix Group presented their findings to the Town Council Tuesday night at a special meeting. Because it was a special meeting, input from the public was not allowed. Among the recommendations for the Fire Department was for a 16-man minimum per shift, said Travis Miller of the Matrix Group. “I don’t think this community can safely provide service with less (staffing),” Miller said. “Unless you look at service changes.” Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio said he saw the final draft of the report in January and it had a minimum staffing of 17…

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Tim Hill

2:09 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012

I think people believe that modern buildings, built to current code, are better equipped to prevent the spread of large fires and are less drains on the fire department than older buildings are.   more ›