Emergency Management

Winthrop Officials Meet with Action Ambulance Leaders

jgprrobert Emergency Management, Fire, Police
Winthrop Officials Meet with Action Ambulance Leaders

WINTHROP 一 Town Manager Anthony Marino, Town Council President Jim Letterie, Fire Chief Scott Wiley, and Police Chief Terence Delehanty report that leaders from the Town of Winthrop met with Action Ambulance Service Inc. on Monday afternoon to discuss emergency medical services and ambulance services in Winthrop.

Chief Wiley noted that the town has been satisfied with Action Ambulance’s services, which contractually include keeping two ambulances in the Town of Winthrop to respond to medical emergencies.

The Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services is investigating Friday’s incident in which an ambulance was not available to respond to an emergency call for a child in cardiac arrest, and Action Ambulance and the Town of Winthrop are both cooperating fully with that ongoing investigation.

A preliminary analysis of the facts and circumstances show that both Winthrop Ambulances were attending to other patients who were Winthrop Residents and transporting them to area hospitals.  No other mutual aid ambulances were available.  The mutual aid system, which Action must provide ambulances to under state law, has repeatedly pulled ambulances based in Winthrop out of town for calls in other communities, leaving the town with fewer than two ambulances to respond to calls at times.

Under state law, if an Action ambulance stationed in Winthrop is needed at a medical emergency in another community, Action Ambulance cannot decline the call. Action is also prohibited by state law from prioritizing calls for service once an ambulance has been dispatched. Likewise, ambulance services in other communities cannot decline to send ambulances to Winthrop if they are available.

Participants in the meeting discussed potential ways to improve the mutual aid system and to improve cooperation between Action Ambulance and other local ambulance services.

Participants also agreed to work together on staffing issues and on identifying additional resources that can be diverted to emergencies.

Next steps will include reaching out to state and legislative leaders to start discussions on how to solve issues with the mutual aid system.

“Our community is eager for information, and I want to thank Action Ambulance for their honest and open dialogue today,” Town Manager Marino said. “Our hearts collectively pour out for the family in mourning today, and we pledge to be open and transparent with our residents and with state officials.”

Winthrop Police Department Shares Information on Town-wide Internet Outage

jgprstaff Emergency Management, Fire, Police
Winthrop Police Department Shares Information on Town-wide Internet Outage

WINTHROP 一 Chief Terence M. Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department report that Comcast is currently working to restore internet services in Winthrop in response to a town-wide internet outage. 

Hundreds of Winthrop residents have been dealing with internet outages since approximately 1 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, due to damage to fiber lines in Revere. 

Comcast is expected to restore internet services sometime Monday afternoon. 

Phone services to most Town buildings are down due to the outage. Residents should be aware that the Winthrop Police Department can still be reached at 617-846-1212.

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Winthrop Fire Department to Open Cooling Center on Saturday at Senior Center

Benjamin Paulin Emergency Management, Fire
Winthrop Fire Department to Open Cooling Center on Saturday at Senior Center

WINTHROP – As high temperatures continue throughout the region, Chief and Emergency Management Director Scott Wiley reports that a cooling center will be open in town on Saturday, July 23, at the senior center.

The cooling center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and is open to the public. The DeLeo Winthrop Senior Center is located at 35 Harvard St.

All are welcome to come to the air conditioned facility and can stay as long as the cooling center remains open.

Anyone with questions about the cooling center should call the Winthrop Fire Department at 617-846-3474.

Hot Weather Safety Tips

In addition, the Winthrop Fire Department is advising the public of the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses:

  • NEVER leave children, adults or pets alone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • KEEP COOL – Spend as much time as you can in cooler surroundings. Use air conditioners to cool the air.
  • Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool or shady area, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
  • Plan outdoor games and activities for early morning or evening. Rest often in shady areas to allow your body to recover.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • When the temperature is in the 90’s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath is a better way to cool off.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar—these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Use your stove less and try to cook your meals in the cooler part of the day.
  • Keep pets hydrated.
  • Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, some people are at greater risk than others.
    • Check regularly on: infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, people who have a mental illness, those who are physically ill or who have heart disease or high blood pressure
    • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.
  • Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.

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Town of Winthrop Provides Update on Nor’Easter Impacts

jgprstaff Emergency Management
Town of Winthrop Provides Update on Nor’Easter Impacts

The Town of Winthrop has been advised by National Grid that approximately 900 of the 1,000 customers who had been without power in town have had their service restored. Service was initially interrupted at approximately 5:15 a.m., and was restored around 9:30 a.m. National Grid has reported that it expect power to be restored to remaining homes by 1 p.m.

Schools, which had initially been delayed two hours, are closed today as a result of the overnight storm due to downed trees and wires.

Residents are advised to use caution when driving or walking along town roads, and motorists are strongly urged to avoid driving through any standing water.

As of noon, River Road from Bowdoin Street to Cross Street remains closed due to a damaged utility pole.

Town of Winthrop Offers Safety Tips, Encourages Residents to Stay Alert as Tropical Storm Henri Tracks Toward New England

Tom Zuppa Emergency Management, Fire, Police
Town of Winthrop Offers Safety Tips, Encourages Residents to Stay Alert as Tropical Storm Henri Tracks Toward New England

The Town of Winthrop is recommending that residents stay alert and prepare to take the necessary safety precautions as Tropical Storm Henri is expected to track toward in New England in the coming days.

Town officials are receiving briefings as the situation is updated, and are staying current on storm tracks and forecasts to ensure staffing is in place to deal with any emergency that arises.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11:30 a.m., Tropical Storm Henri is moving west-northwest over the western Atlantic and is about 770 miles south-southwest of Nantucket.

The center of Henri is expected to remain offshore of the East Coast during the next couple of days, but is forecast to track near Cape Cod and the Islands or just offshore Sunday into Monday.

Henri is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Friday with additional strengthening predicted to occur this weekend. There is a potential for tropical storm or lower-end hurricane force winds along with rough seas. Swells from Henri are expected to reach the East Coast on Friday and continue through the weekend. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

There is a Hurricane Watch in effect for parts of Rhode Island, and a Storm Surge Watch for parts of the South Shore of Massachusetts. However, the exact path and strength of the storm when it gets closer to New England are still uncertain and residents are urged to stay alert and monitor the local forecast.

Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during and after emergencies.

Safety precautions residents should follow to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm include:

  • Don’t go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
  • Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working. Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensure that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages. Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Have an emergency food supply in case of a power outage. People should have supplies to sustain their families for at least 72 hours.
  • Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
  • Prepare your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding. Also, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood and remove boats from the water.
  • Bring in boats from moorings or add extra lines to secure them. The Harbormaster will not be responding to boats off of mooring until the storm weakens and it is safe for the crews to respond.
  • MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity in an outage. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
  • Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.
  • In the event of a hurricane, residents are also encouraged to know if they live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone, develop a family emergency plan and create an emergency kit.

Residents are also encouraged to follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

  • Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration. 

Additional tropical storm and hurricane safety tips offered by MEMA can be found here.

June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through Nov. 30. Historically, most hurricanes and tropical storms that hit New England occur during August and September.

Town of Winthrop Reminds Residents of Outside Gathering Capacity Restrictions

jgprstaff Emergency Management
Town of Winthrop Reminds Residents of Outside Gathering Capacity Restrictions

Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley wish to remind residents of capacity restrictions for outdoor gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outdoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet and should not exceed more than 50 people in areas of 6,250 square feet or more, according to state guidelines. For any gathering exceeding 10 people from more than one household, anyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask or face covering. Those under the age of 2 or are unable to do so due to a medical condition do not need to wear a face mask or covering.

Outdoor gatherings must also be conducted in a manner that allows each participant to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from all other attendees who live outside their household. To maintain this physical distance, each individual needs a space of 144 square feet.

“The average yard size in Winthrop is 2,800 square feet, meaning most residents cannot exceed more than 19 people in their backyard at one given time,” Hurley said. “Large gatherings have been found to be a leading cause in the spread of COVID-19. We ask that residents help to stop the spread and keep themselves and their community safe by limiting social gatherings.”

Residents who are found in violation of the state guidelines will be cited by the town and could face fines up to $500.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.

Winthrop residents are reminded to visit WinthropCOVID19.com, which serves as a dedicated town resource for information on the pandemic.

Town of Winthrop Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant Against COVID-19 Virus Following Spike in Cases

jgprstaff Emergency Management, Uncategorized
Town of Winthrop Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant Against COVID-19 Virus Following Spike in Cases

Town Remains in the “Red” High Risk Designation

Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley report that Winthrop has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, and are urging the community to follow COVID-19 prevention guidance.

At this time, the town is still designated a high risk community by the Commonwealth. Since receiving this designation, the town has worked in close collaboration with the  Department of Public Health to address the recent rise in the prevalence of the novel coronavirus in our community

According to data shared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday, there have been over 20 new confirmed positive cases of the virus in Winthrop over the past two weeks.

Winthrop Health officials believe that the numbers may be slightly lower than reported by DPH because the local numbers include a number of college students, attending school out of state, whose parents reside in Winthrop. Winthrop officials are working with DPH to correct the numbers to reflect current Winthrop residents.

All community members are urged to take part in the free COVID-19 testing now available at the McKenna Basketball Courts, 5 Walden St. Previously, free testing was being offered behind the E.B. Newton School.

Testing is available at this site on the following days and times:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2-7 p.m. (drive-through)
  • Tuesday and Thursday from 2-7 p.m. (walk-up)

Testing providers are able to provide information in English and Spanish.

COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:

  • Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of six feet from others, is critical.
  • Those who must go out are urged to:
    • Avoid gathering in groups
    • Maintain six feet from people outside your household
    • Do not shake hands or hug
    • Wash your hands often
  • Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
  • Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and with underlying health conditions.
  • Face coverings should:
    • Cover the nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
    • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
    • Permit breathing without difficulty
    • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.

Winthrop residents are reminded to visit WinthropCOVID19.com, which serves as a dedicated town resource for information on the pandemic.

Statement of Winthrop Officials Regarding COVID-19 ‘High Risk’ Designation

jgprstaff Emergency Management
Statement of Winthrop Officials Regarding COVID-19 ‘High Risk’ Designation

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley wish to provide the following statement regarding the town’s designation as “high risk” for COVID-19 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

“We have been working in close collaboration with our partners at the state Department of Public Health to address the recent rise in the prevalence of the novel coronavirus in our community.

“The Town of Winthrop is working tirelessly to reverse this trend, but we need the active support and participation of our entire community to help accomplish that goal. Everyone can do their part by wearing masks or face coverings any time they’re in public, limit the amount of people they interact with outside of their household, and closely monitor themselves and their family members for symptoms of illness.

“We are taking active steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, including starting the school year using a fully remote learning model that will help ensure students and teachers remain safe while staying connected to their school community.

“The COVID-19 crisis is not over by any means, so we want the state’s designation for Winthrop to serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to practice prevention methods and stop the spread.”

COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:

  • Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of six feet from others, is critical.
  • Those who must go out are urged to:
    • Avoid gathering in groups
    • Maintain six feet from people outside your household
    • Do not shake hands or hug
    • Wash your hands often
  • Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
  • Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two or with underlying health conditions.
  • Face coverings should:
    • Cover the nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
    • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
    • Permit breathing without difficulty
    • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.

Residents are also encouraged to regularly check the Town of Winthrop website here and the Town Facebook page @winthropma for regular updates about the status of the virus in the community.

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Town of Winthrop Reminds Residents of State Order Requiring Face Masks in Public

jgprstaff Emergency Management, Police
Town of Winthrop Reminds Residents of State Order Requiring Face Masks in Public

Town Manager Austin Faison, Public Health Director Meredith Hurley and Police Chief/Emergency Management Director Terence Delehanty would like to remind residents of the new state order regarding the use of face masks or coverings in public.

Residents will need to wear a face mask or covering when out in public situations where social distancing may be difficult to maintain, such as when shopping at essential businesses like grocery stores or pharmacies, per the order issued by Gov. Charlie Baker last week.

Residents are also required to wear a mask or face covering at all times when using any transportation service or public mass transit.

Residents are still encouraged — but not required — to wear face masks or coverings when outside in public, as long as they are able maintain physical distancing.

Masks should not be worn by young children under the age of 2, persons with difficulty breathing, or those who are unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings do not have to be surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. Information about how to properly remove and make your own face mask can be found on the CDC’s website here.

Key elements to remember when wearing a face covering include:

  • It should fit snugly against the side of your face
  • It should be secured with ties or ear loops
  • It should have multiple layers of fabric
  • It should allow for breathing without restriction
  • Fabric face coverings should be cleaned after each use and should be machine washable and dryer safe
  • Always remove the mask directly into the laundry or trash and then immediately wash your hands
  • Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing your mask

This order remains in effect until further notice. Further guidance from the Department of Public Health is available at mass.gov/coveryourface.

The Town encourages everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19. The following resources are recommended for the most updated information:

Update #11 (6 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Updates Related to COVID-19

John Guilfoil Emergency Management

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison, Public Health Director Meredith Hurley and Police Chief/Emergency Management Director Terence Delehanty wish to provide updates to the community on the latest information and efforts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Thursday, Winthrop has 130 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Six residents have died, 51 residents have recovered from the disease and a 73 additional residents are in isolation with suspected cases.

A total of 11 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Winthrop Pace EBNH, a long-term care facility in town. Two additional cases are confirmed in a congregate care facility in Winthrop. All of the people with COVID-19 in long-term care and congregate care are currently in isolation. No deaths have been reported in these facilities. Winthrop town officials have been in constant communication with administrators at these facilities to discuss plans for isolation and containment of the disease.

Public Health Director Hurley believes that many of the additional cases confirmed in Winthrop this month are due to people previously testing positive infecting members of their immediate family/household.

A television news out erroneously reported yesterday that Winthrop’s infection rate was the second highest in Massachusetts with 12,877.64 per 100,000. This incorrect, and a correction has been requested. Winthrop’s infection rate is approximately 742.98 per 100,000, placing it below the middle mark in the Commonwealth.

Face Coverings Required in Public

The Winthrop Town Council and Board of Health recently passed an emergency order requiring that residents wear a face mask or similar covering when entering any store, public common areas, public buildings or other establishments in town.

Click here for more information on the order.

Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 122.

Social Distancing Continues

The Town of Winthrop encourages residents to continue to practice social distancing — remaining at least six feet away from others, and Gov. Baker has temporarily banned gatherings of more than 10 people.

Social distancing has been shown to significantly help to minimize exposure, especially given that COVID-19 is highly contagious and people may be contagious prior to exhibiting symptoms.

Additional Guidelines

As always, if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician.

On Friday, April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all individuals going out in public wear cloth face masks as precaution in situations where social distancing is hard to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is the practice of keeping at least six feet between people while in public.

Information about how to properly remove and make your own face mask can be found on the CDC’s website here.

COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, has been declared a Global Pandemic by the World Health Organization and has moved Governor Baker to declare a State of Emergency and President Donald Trump to declare a National Emergency. Governor Baker on Thursday also made a formal request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration.

Stay Informed

The Town encourages everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19. The following resources are recommended for the most updated information:

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