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Wellesley vaccinates first responders against COVID-19

January 11, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Health Department, armed with doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, set up shop on Monday at Fire Department Headquarters on Route 9 to vaccinate first responders.

First up were firefighters Joanie Cullinan and Brian Hester, both of whom have faced serious health situations. Cullinan has recovered from Stage 3 Melanoma and become an effective advocate for occupational cancer awareness. Hester, a firefighter since 2002, became sick with COVID-19 in the spring and did a grand tour of local health facilities over 10 weeks fighting off the respiratory disease. Feeling lucky to be at the vaccine clinic, Hester said he is still dealing with after-effects from COVID-19 but hopes to return to work sooner than later.

ff vaccines wellesley
Firefighter Brian Hester keeps his eye on the needle

 

ff vaccines wellesley
Firefighter Joanie Cullinan gives a double thumbs up after getting her vaccination

 

This was no private doctor’s office visit. The firefighters, in familiar surroundings at the firehouse, received their vaccinations with bemused expressions as camera crews from local TV news stations captured the whole thing for posterity.

Hester said getting the shot was no problem. “I didn’t feel a thing,” he quipped.

#Wellesley vaccinates first responders against #COVID19 https://t.co/AZ9HcGiz19 #vaccines @moderna_tx @WellesleyFire pic.twitter.com/y0ib8yEqA1

— swellesley (@swellesley) January 12, 2021

Cullinan is still going in for screenings in the aftermath of her cancer treatments, but is back to work and feeling strong. She refers to herself as “a professional patient at this point,” and says getting the vaccine made this a good day, allowing firefighters “to protect our families and keep everyone else safe.”

When asked for her message to other first responders about getting the vaccine, she said “everybody’s got to do what’s right for them,” but that it was the right choice for her, her family, and colleagues. Naturally, some of those colleagues headed out on a call when we were there, sirens blaring upon their departure.

Three other Wellesley firefighters and five Wellesley police officers were also vaccinated, with more set to receive shots later this week.

ff vaccines wellesley

Health Department Director Lenny Izzo, who was on site, said “we’re prepared, we’re ready for this.” He and the rest of the staff have spent recent weeks working out the various challenges that the town faces in administering the vaccine, including the transport and cold storage of it, as well as scheduling injections.  While much has been made of storage challenges, he says the town has had no issue handling that end of things.

Izzo told us during a recent interview that vaccines will be dispensed in a staggered process, to ensure that not too many first responders could potentially suffer bad reactions at once.

For this first round, health officials received 100 vials of the Moderna vaccine and expect another allocation within a week to complete the first responder vaccinations.  Ann Marie McCauley, the town’s public health nurse supervisor, said during Monday’s Board of Health meeting that the Health Department plans to use every drop of vaccine during six clinics over the course of this week, and still won’t have enough for all first responders.

First responders, along with healthcare workers and those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are among those designated by the state to be vaccinated at the start.

ff vaccines wellesley
Wellesley Health Department nurses, from left, Ashley Denton and Heidi Harper.
ff vaccines wellesley
We were running with the big media dawgs, who came out from locations as exotic as Boston to be on hand for the Wellesley first-responder vaccination event.

  • Thank you Swellesley Report supporters & on to Year Sweet 16
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Filed Under: COVID-19, Fire, Health

Linden Square, Wellesley
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Christmas Night fire in Wellesley

December 26, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley firefighters and police, as well as the Needham Fire Department, responded to a call shortly after 9pm on Christmas Night for a fire on Wildon Road in Wellesley.

Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie reports that crews contained the fire to a small area, and that residents and firefighters were fine. The house is also able to remain occupied. Deputy Corda and his crews responded quickly and contained the fire, according to DeLorie.

The cause appeared to be a faulty electrical outlet. Further investigation will take place.

WPD is on Wildon Road assisting Wellesley Fire with a working house fire. No injuries reported. The fire is under control. pic.twitter.com/KvKLWrVJVG

— Wellesley Police (@WellesleyPolice) December 26, 2020

Needham, Weston, and Newton Fire Departments covered Wellesley headquarters during the fire.

Last week Wellesley’s Fire Department fought a blaze on Riverdale Road that destroyed a home.

Storm does its damage

Local first responders were busy on Christmas Day. The overnight rain and wind storm on Christmas Eve took its tool around town. Reader PC shared this photo of a downed tree on Hampshire Road near Bristol Road.  “No damage to people, property or electricity.”

hampshire road tree down


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Filed Under: Fire, Police

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London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley, Dover first responders rescue dog from icy Charles River

December 22, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley and Dover police and firefighters joined forces on Tuesday afternoon to save a dog named Popeye that broke through the ice on the Charles River while on a walk at Elm Bank Reservation.

“Popeye was unable to crawl out of the river due to the build-up of ice along the river bank,” according to a Tweet by Wellesley Police.

Wellesley firefighters pulled the dog from the water and warmed him up, before Popeye was transported to an animal hospital. The dog is expected to be fine.

While dogs are supposed to be leashed at Elm Bank Reservation, they rarely are. Wellesley Animal Control Officer Sue Webb says the dog owner did the right thing in calling for help and not going into the water. She says: “If they are loose, dogs should be under control near such a dangerous river especially in the winter.  It puts others at risk trying to save the dog and we don’t want people going under.”

Team effort saves dog from frigid Charles River earlier this afternoon. Wellesley Fire Fighters conducted a successful ice water rescue with help from Dover Fire and Police at Elm Bank. Popeye was transported to a local animal hospital for treatment, but is expected to be OK! pic.twitter.com/hJ4loh21Pe

— Wellesley Police (@WellesleyPolice) December 22, 2020

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Filed Under: Animals, Fire, Police

Stretch Lab, Wellesley

Wellesley Police log: Devastating house fire; backyard pool becomes public skating rink; shoplifting from a store & a car

December 21, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley police stationThe Wellesley, Mass., police log for the week of Dec. 14-20:

Arrests

On December 18, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. Officer DiCenso was dispatched to a residence on Cedar Street for a report of a dispute between two female parties.  Officers spoke with the individuals involved and learned that there was an active warrant issued by the Middlesex Superior Court for 1 of the women.  She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to court.

On December 19, 2020 at 12:31 p.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a Nissan sedan with defective brake lights.  As he entered traffic to stop the vehicle he saw the vehicle make multiple lane changes as if trying to evade Officer Mankavech.  A query of the vehicle’s registration indicated there was an active warrant issued by the Attleboro District Court for motor vehicle related offenses.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license and registration.   Officer Mankavech asked if he was trying to evade him.  He affirmed he knew he had a warrant and he was trying to get to Interstate 95 to avoid being stopped.    He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on $100 bail.

Incidents

On December 14, 2020 at 1:50 p.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement at Fire Headquarters when he was approached by an elderly male party who appeared confused and did not know where he was.  While Officer Mankavech was speaking with him the Emergency Communications Center received a phone call from a family member of the male party stating he had wandered away from the home.  The family member picked up the male party and safely returned him home.  The male party suffers from dementia.  The male party’s personal information and a photograph were added to the Wellesley Police Department’s Safewatch list and the Elder Affairs Officers will follow up with the family to see if there are other services available to assist them with preventing the male party from wandering from the residence in the future.

On December 14, 2020 at 6:10 p.m. Officer DeBernardi spoke with a female reporting party regarding vandalism to her motor vehicle.  The reporting party stated she went to work on Worcester Street on December 10th at 7:45 a.m. and left work at 5:45 p.m.  She found that her rear driver’s side tire was flat.  She took it to be repaired the following day and learned that the tire appeared to have been intentionally slashed.  She was unaware of anyone who would want to vandalize her vehicle and requested the incident be document for her insurance company.

On December 15, 2020 at 9:19 a.m. Officer Mankavech was dispatched to the area of Suffolk Road and Bristol Road for a report of a town by-law violation.  He learned that a pool company was pumping water from the backyard into the roadway.  The water then froze on the sidewalks and roadway causing a hazard.  Officer Mankavech asked the male party pumping the water in to the roadway if he had a permit and he indicated he did not.   The male party agreed to stop pumping water during the cold temperatures.  Officer Mankavech notified the building inspector of the incident.

On December 16, 2020 at 6:15 a.m. Officer Gerard was dispatched to a parking complaint for residents parking in areas that were not designated parking spots.  Officer Gerard verified that all vehicles belonged to residents of the apartment complex and issued them warnings for parking in the Fire Lane.

On December 16, 2020 at 8:22 a.m. Officer Kane spoke with a female party regarding a theft from an unlocked vehicle.   A gold bracelet valued at $100 had been taken from the glove box.  The reporting party stated when viewing her ring doorbell camera, she noticed two male parties enter the vehicle at 1:28 a.m.  The incident is under investigation.

On December 19, 2020 at 9:36 a.m. Officer Popovski was dispatched to a business on Central Street for a report of a past theft from the store.  The store employee stated that the previous day at 2:26 p.m. an older man and woman entered the store. The male party took a black Tumi crossbody handbag valued at $245 and put it inside his jacket.  Both parties then left the store.  The reporting party stated they spoke to another store owner and were told that the same couple had taken an item from his store as well.  There are no suspects at this time.

On December 19, 2020 at 11:05 a.m. Officer J. Popovski spoke to a female reporting party regarding fraudulent credit card charges.  She stated she still has the credit card in her possession and two charges to Napa online in the amount of $470.20 each and 3 additional attempted charges that were declined.  Her bank cancelled the card and she will not be held responsible for the charges.  No suspects.

On December 20, 2020 at 12:06 a.m. Officer Knapp was dispatched to a residence on Riverdale Road for a report of a house fire (more details).  Upon arrival a female party was outside with her 2 children and she stated her husband had gone back into the house to try to locate their family dog.  Officer Knapp went into the residence and observed there was heavy smoke.  He located the male party on the 2nd floor and escorted him from the residence.  The Wellesley Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.   The incident is under investigation by the Wellesley Fire Department and The State Fire Marshall’s Office.


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Filed Under: Crime, Fire, Police

Fire destroys Wellesley home; family escapes uninjured, puppy not found

December 20, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Fire ravaged a nearly 120-year-old Riverdale Road home in the Wellesley Farms area of town after midnight on Saturday, though fortunately both parents and their two children got out safely. Firefighters were not able to find the family’s new puppy.


A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the family, and more than $82K had been raised by 12/21/20.


Deputy Chief Donahue was in command and all crews worked exceptionally hard from about midnight to 5:30am on Sunday, according to Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie, who thanked Natick, Needham, Newton, and Weston crews for mutual aid at the fire scene as well as for providing station coverage. He added thanks to Cataldo Ambulance for its support.

“We recovered a few personal and sentimental items at the owners’ request,” he said. “The house was old construction and was completely damaged.”

State Fire Marshal investigators were called to help the Wellesley Fire Department and Wellesley Police Department to determine the fire’s cause, which is unknown at this time.

While the damage from this holiday season fire for this family is impossible to tally, DeLorie said he has invited the family to visit the fire station to take any toys left there that might be age appropriate. “I will reach out if other services are needed and make sure their holidays are as good as possible under the circumstances,” DeLorie said.

 

Riverdale Road fire
Photos courtesy of Wellesley Fire Department

Riverdale Road fire

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Filed Under: Fire, Uncategorized

Charity roundup: Wellesley Fire delivers big for Thanksgiving; Kids Backing Kids holiday gift drive powering ahead; Salon collecting food pantry donations

November 24, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Wellesley charitable efforts:

Wellesley Fire Department delivers big with Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors

The Wellesley Fire Department and friends, and they have lots of them (Select Board, Council on Aging, regular volunteers, family members, among them) delivered 180 complete Thanksgiving dinners over the weekend to residents over the age of 60.

In addition to delivering meals, the crew also supplied residents with KN95 masks, and WFD rubber jar openers and reusable bags. Wellesley Media broadcast a prerecorded Thanksgiving program featuring firefighters and other special guests.

“An extremely efficient, organized event. Everyone enjoyed the annual dinner,” reported Chief Rick DeLorie about the 54th rendition of the WFD Thanksgiving Dinner.

Photos shared by WFD. We’ll let you play the guessing game of who is behind all those masks…

WFD thanksgiving dinner for seniorsthanksgiving dinner deliveriesthanksgiving dinner deliveriesthanksgiving dinner deliveriesthanksgiving dinner deliveries

Kids Backing Kids holiday gift drive powering ahead

kids backing kids logoThe Kids Backing Kids Holiday Gift Drive is underway and they have 70-plus sponsors supporting more than 150 children for the holidays. This represents a community commitment to buy nearly $20,000 in gifts for children in vulnerable low-income families.

Kids Backing Kids is working with social workers from Wellesley Public Schools, the Health Department, and the Housing Authority.

Volunteers have signed up for gift-wrapping shifts on Saturday, Dec. 5 to package up more than 500 gifts at 330 Washington St. (former Rockland Trust bank site). Haynes Management is donating the space.

The message from Kids Backing Kids: “As kids, we know the excitement of receiving and opening gifts during the holidays. We also know the joy of giving gifts to others—it feels good to make others happy.”

More: Wellesley family launches Kids Backing Kids to aid children in need, engage those who can help

Town toy drive extended

The Wellesley Recreation Department and Youth Commission will collect new, unwrapped toys for the holiday throughDecember 5. Drop off toys at the collection bin in the Tailby commuter rail lot.

Haircuts, Ltd. collecting donations for Wellesley Food Pantry

HairCuts, Ltd. in Wellesley Square is collecting donations for the Wellesley Food Pantry throughout the holiday season (until Dec. 20). The salon is accepting donations from the pantry’s current wish list to bring each Monday during their donation hours.

Food Pantry, UU Wellesley
Food Pantry, UU Wellesley. Photo credit, Peter Lull

 


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Filed Under: Fire, Food, Fundraising, Kids

A new look for Wellesley Fire Department’s Thanksgiving dinner for seniors

November 5, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Fire Department‘s annual Thanksgiving dinner won’t be held in person this year, but will have as much of a personal touch as the pandemic allows.

All Wellesley residents over the age of 60 are eligible to have firefighters and other volunteers deliver prepared Thanksgiving dinners to their homes between 11am-noon on Nov. 21.

But you need to sign up in advance via the Council on Aging, and the event will be limited to 200 guests.  Call the COA at (781) 235-3961.

To make the event complete, a pre-recorded program will be made available featuring:

  • A welcome from Chief Rick DeLorie
  • Firefighter (Marine) Ben Hampton will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and present the meaning of the POW/MIA Table Setting
  • John Shuler will offer a meal blessing
  • A Wellesley High School Quartet will provide dinner entertainment
  • Lt. Delaney will offer a safety presentation
  • Chief DeLorie will wrap up the event.
wellesley fire thanksgiving dinner
A past Wellesley firefighter Thanksgiving dinner for seniors


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Filed Under: Fire, Holidays, Senior citizens

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