Friendly reminder from Franklin Fire Dept.

Help us find you.  In an emergency seconds count.

https://t.co/kjvBFojacy

 

Friendly reminder from Franklin Fire Dept.

 Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1339910797963747328?s=03

Franklin Residents: Winter Storm Update

Winter Storm Update Hello Franklin, Please make note of the following alerts and information:  A full parking ban is in effect until noon today No Trash/Recycling Collection today, Thursday, Dec 17th. Trash/Recycling will be delayed by one day for 12/17 and 12/18 pick-ups only. The Municipal Building and all town buildings (Recreation, Museum, Senior Center, Library, and DPW Administration) will remain closed today, Thursday, December 17th. All staff will be working remotely today and are available via email and phone during regular business hours. Please do not hesitate to reach out!  Town offices and buildings will reopen tomorrow, Friday, Dec 18th at 8:00 for normal business hours.  Based on this morning's report from the state MEMA office and Governor Baker's directives, it's in the best interest of the community to stay off the roads and allow our incredible local DPW workers and state highway officials the chance to clear snow from all roads, sidewalks and parking lots.  Visit our website for information and links. Stay safe!  www.franklinma.gov https://www.franklinma.gov/

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by traceya@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Urgent: Winter Storm Alerts

Winter Storm Alerts

A winter storm is approaching this evening and will be with us until tomorrow. Please make note of the following alerts: 

• A full parking ban is in effect from 12 pm tonight until noon tomorrow
• No Trash Collection tomorrow, Thursday, Dec 16th.  Trash will be delayed by one day.
• The Municipal Building will be closed from 8 am-noon tomorrow.  Employees will be working remotely until noon and are available via email or voicemail.  

Stay safe! 

 

Read more about Emergency information https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/emergency-management-information

Urgent: Winter Storm Alerts

Views on the Supreme Judicial Court decision; they got it wrong, right, and 'following the money'

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin and then 'follow the money': 

SJC decision on Baker’s powers is poorly reasoned

"THE MASSACHUSETTS Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled on Thursday that Gov. Charlie Baker’s various COVID-19 orders were authorized by the Massachusetts Civil Defense Act of 1950, and did not violate the plaintiffs’ due process rights or right to assemble under either the state or federal constitutions. The court’s opinion is superficial and poorly reasoned at best, and intellectually dishonest at worst, and is hardly the end of the matter.

The outcome of the opinion could readily be predicted from its first words, which identified the justice who authored it. Stunningly, that justice during the argument of the case had asked the plaintiffs’ counsel whether he didn’t agree that the governor was doing a good job with his COVID-19 measures. Any first-year law student, and indeed most sentient citizens, would know that the job of a justice ruling on a legal or constitutional challenge to a government measure is not to agree or disagree with any policy underlying the measure, or the results achieved by it, but rather to rule on whether it is indeed legally or constitutionally valid."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/sjc-decision-on-bakers-powers-is-poorly-reasoned/

SJC got Baker emergency orders case right

THERE ARE AT least two important takeaways from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Desrosiers v. Governor, in which the court upheld Gov. Charlie Baker’s authority to issue emergency orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, the court’s conclusion was undoubtedly correct. The plaintiffs argued that the governor had “usurped” the role of the Legislature and violated the state constitution’s commitment to separation of powers, as well as the plaintiffs’ rights to due process and free assembly. At bottom, the plaintiffs maintained that the governor lacked the authority to issue emergency orders under the Civil Defense Act. That law, enacted in 1950, gave the governor the power to issue emergency orders in the event of, among other things, “fire, flood, earthquake or other natural causes.”

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/sjc-got-baker-emergency-orders-case-right/

 

To 'follow the money' we share this article from MassPoliticsProfs

Desrosiers v. The Governor: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Body Slams Charles Koch

"Today the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled for Governor Charlie Baker in a lawsuit underwritten by Charles Koch and sponsored by Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance/Fiscal Alliance Foundation in which MFA sought to undo the governor’s emergency public health powers—just as Covid-19 is raging across the land.  It wasn’t close.

This was really a case about conflicting ideologies. On one side is the view that government should be empowered to help people to do needed things the people cannot do for themselves (the view of Abraham Lincoln, by the way) versus Koch’s ideology, which is that government should do nothing except to protect private property."

Continue reading the article online

http://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2020/12/10/desrosiers-v-the-governor-massachusetts-supreme-judicial-court-body-slams-charles-koch/

Town of Franklin, MA: Storm emergency reminder

"Residents should consider downloading the ⁦@nationalgridus⁩ app on their phones where you can report power outages, monitor restoration and much more. ⁦@FranklinMAFire⁩ "

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/VgQcVSQ9pb

Apple App Store =  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/national-grid/id632161989

Google App Store =  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ifactor.ngrid&hl=en&gl=US

nationalgrid web page = https://login.nationalgridus.com/

Town of Franklin, MA: Storm emergency reminder

Hurricane Preparedness Week is Here

1 - Hurricane Risk

• Peak of hurricane season is August and September
• NOAA predicts above normal hurricane season; but regardless of seasonal forecast, it only takes one storm to severely impact an area
• Entire state is at risk; storm surge threat in coastal areas and high winds, heavy rainfall, and inland flooding possible across entire state, as we saw in Irene in 2011
• While the last hurricane in Massachusetts was Bob in 1991, the Commonwealth has a history of destructive hurricanes
• Threat of tropical cyclones and other natural hazards continue during COVID-19 pandemic

2 - How Residents Can Prepare

• Know Your Evacuation Zone

• Learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone: www.mass.gov/knowyourzone

• Make an Emergency Plan

• Develop a plan with the members of your household to prepare for what to do in a tropical cyclone including making an evacuation plan, planning for individuals with access and functional needs, and any extra considerations during COVID-19 pandemic including how you might evacuate and where you might evacuate to. If you are in a high risk population, the safest option may be to evacuate to a location without the general public such as a hotel, relatives' home or other destination. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/make-a-family-emergency-plan

• Build an Emergency Kit

• Build an emergency kit containing items that will sustain you and your family in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power or unable to go to a store and customize for your family's needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, include face coverings, masks, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/build-an-emergency-kit.

3 - Stay Informed

Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, Social Media & Traditional Media, 2-1-1 Hotline, Local Notification Systems: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/be-informed-and-receive-emergency-alerts

Gov Baker's proclamation on Hurricane Preparedness Week
https://www.mass.gov/news/hurricane-preparedness-week-reminds-residents-to-prepare-take-precautions
 

as part of staying informed sign up for hurricane alerts from NOAA

Sign up for alerts from NOAA https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc

Chief Lynch's response to inquires about the 8cantwait.org campaign.

A few Franklin residents and media outlets have recently made inquires pertaining to the 8cantwait campaign found here: https://8cantwait.org/. As part of this campaign, citizens are asking that police departments across the country adopt 8 policies, as a way to "reduce killings by police and save lives." Massachusetts residents should be reminded that these issues are mostly nonstarters here in Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts law enforcement agencies have long been in front of the curve when it comes to the advancement of police procedures designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens we protect. 

In particular, our Massachusetts Police Officers have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people. 

In response to the Final Report of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing (https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/taskforce_finalreport.pdf), the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA) and the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs (https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/files/massachusetts-chiefs-police-response-final-report-presidents-task-force-21st) drafted a response in September of 2015, addressing each of the pillars therein.

With respect to the 8 policies that departments should adopt, below is how each is addressed in Massachusetts and here at the Franklin Police Department:

• Ban chokeholds & strangleholds - These techniques are not part of the defensive tactics curriculum as instructed by the MPTC.
• Require de-escalation - Officers are required to learn de-escalation during the MPTC recruit academy training program, and further, are required to undergo additional de-escalation training during the annual in-service training programs as required by the MPTC.
• Require warning before shooting - Consistent with the standards set forth in Graham v. Connor and Tennessee v. Garner, officers may only use that level of force that is objectively reasonable based upon the totality of circumstances. Officers will always attempt to use the lowest level of force in order to effectuate the lawful objective and will attempt to warn individuals prior to using any level of force, provided that they have the time and opportunity to do so. There may be, however, some very limited instances, where it is impossible for officers to provide a warning prior to using force, such as when doing so is necessary in order to preserve human life.
• Requires exhaust all alternatives before shooting - Same as above.
• Duty to intervene - All officers are trained and required to intervene when they recognize that any other officer or supervisor, of any rank, is acting contrary to the law or policy. The MCOPA has recommended departments consider including the following language in their Use of Force policy and the Franklin Police Department is considering making this change: All officers of the Police Department should be aware of their personal responsibility during a use of force encounter. Officers shall have an affirmative duty to intervene should they observe a situation in which they perceive more than the necessary use of force is being deployed by a fellow officer.
• Ban shooting at moving vehicles - Officers are not permitted to shoot at a moving vehicle, except in the very limited circumstance where, consistent with the standard set forth in Graham v. Connor and Tennessee v. Garner, doing so is required to defend themselves or another when the occupants of the vehicle are employing deadly force, which the officer reasonably perceives as an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury to themselves or another (including situations where the vehicle itself is being used as a deadly weapon and the officer is unable to escape the path of travel), and the officer reasonably believes that they will not endanger innocent persons. It is imperative that officers not position themselves in such a way as to create a likelihood of being struck by an occupied vehicle.
• Require use of force continuum - Officers are all trained to use only that level of force objectively reasonable based upon the totality of the circumstances.
• Require comprehensive reporting - Offices are required to complete a use of force report for each instance where force is used.

For further information pertaining to this subject, please see The Franklin Police Department Use of Force Policy, Use of Force Data and the presentation by Chief Lynch to the Franklin Town Council on June 3, 2020, all located on the departments website at: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/use-force-data

Chief Lynch's response to inquires about the 8cantwait.org campaign

EMERGENCY ORDER - "face covering over their mouth and nose"

Town of Franklin 

Board of Health

355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038

DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY - EMERGENCY ORDER

Pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 17, 2020, and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, acting by and through its agent authorized under MGL c. 111, §31 and we, the Board of Health of the Town of Franklin Massachusetts, hereby order the following:

1) All employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and when the staff cannot maintain a safe social distance of six feet from any other co-worker. Nothing in this order shall require the use of a face covering by anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition.

2) All essential businesses shall post on their main entrance doors that the board of health is strongly advising people to wear face coverings upon entrance of an essential business.

This emergency order shall be effective beginning Wednesday, APRIL 29, 2020 AT 12:01AM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgement that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials.
ORDERED at the Virtual Board of Health meeting this 27th day of April 2020. 

Cathleen Liberty, Director of Public Health, Franklin Board of Health


PDF of this can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/emergency_face_covering_order_2.pdf

Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1255215435148075010?s=09

Meeting notes for the April 27, 2020 session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/board-of-health-approves-mandate-for.html

screengrab of Board of Health meeting April 27, 2020

In the News: Franklin man's marathon; credit rating agency has praised the flexibility bill; municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Adam Calvert knows a lot about going the distance.

Recently, the Franklin resident tied on his running shoes and hit the pavement for his very own marathon - a 26.2-mile route of his own design that took more than four hours to complete cheered on along the way by many supporters and joined for part of the distance by three fellow runners.

But the long run really began last March, when his wife, Emma, was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was just a few months into her fourth pregnancy. As Calvert supported her through the cancer treatments and pregnancy, while helping to care for their three other children, he made a decision: He’d join the Dana-Farber Marathon team and finally take on the Boston Marathon — an undertaking that had already been at the back of his mind — with her as his inspiration and Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund as his cause.

He was understandably disappointed when talk of calling off the iconic April event began late in March amid concerns about the coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200426/inspired-by-wife-franklin-man-runs-his-own-marathon

credit rating agency has praised the flexibility bill

"A major credit rating agency has praised the municipal government flexibility bill Gov. Charlie Baker signed earlier this month as an advantage for cities and towns, and detailed how it will help local leaders.

In last week’s credit outlook for public finance, Moody’s Investor Service said the legislation that Baker signed into law April 3 “is credit positive for local governments because it will increase their ability to operate effectively during a period when they are managing a health emergency while also planning for the 2021 fiscal year starting in July.”

The bill got more attention for allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine with to-go orders and postponing the tax filing deadline until July, but it also provided the state’s 351 municipalities with deadline and scheduling flexibility on town meetings, tax payments and permits. Crucially, it also allowed cities and towns to tap into free cash, or remaining fiscal 2020 reserves, for fiscal 2021 budgets without having to go through the usual state approval process."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200427/rating-agency-takes-measure-of-coronavirus-law


municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings

"Attorney General Maura Healey’s office now says municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings in public.

On Monday, Healey’s office issued revised guidance on local authority when it comes to protecting public health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the new guidance, a municipality can, through its Board of Health, require people to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of infection, per General Law Chapter 111, §§ 26-26C, 31, 104."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200428/mass-ags-office-revises-guidance-says-municipalities-can-order-face-coverings

FM_#242- Sgt Brian Johnson - Check On Your Neighbors 4/6/20 (audio)

FM #242 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 242 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Police Sgt Brian Johnson. Sgt Johnson is the Public Information Officer for the Police Dept and we had a great conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Can you have a conversation about the Franklin Police Dept and not discuss their four-legged star? Listen and hear how we had plenty to talk about; how the FPD is responding during this pandemic, how some personnel assignments have been juggled, how they can find time to help celebrate a birthday, and then the call to action to check on our neighbors (to see how they are faring in this period).

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sgt Johnson and hear about what is happening on the front lines with the Franklin Police Dept.   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HBCcQh37




--------------

Police Dept page = https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department

Police Dept Twitter account = https://twitter.com/franklinpolice

Police Dept Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Police-Department-162770995915/?fref=ts


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM_#242- Sgt Brian Johnson - Check On Your Neighbors 4/6/20 (audio)

“We didn't have weeks to act. We barely had days and we might be too late”

When the pandemic is by us (and no one know how long that will take), this story will be one of the contemporary pieces to go back to for the analysis of what happened and what could have happened. We will need to develop the 'lessons learned' from this pandemic for next time. The pandemic is a reminder that while it was predicted, it is likely to repeat until we change.

WBUR shares this reporing: 'We Knew The Inevitable': Why Mass. School Leaders Had To Close Schools On Their Own

“I said, ‘I think we have a kid,’ ” he said. “You could just see that everyone's face was like, ‘OK, this just got real.’ ”

And it got critical. Classes were starting at the school in less than 30 minutes. Immediately, Tremblay divided everyone into smaller groups and assigned tasks. Track down all students and staff who might have had contact with the symptomatic student. Inform those families and advise them to self-quarantine for 14 days. Tell bus drivers to stand by in order to bring kids home.

Some of the Framingham families who needed to quarantine didn’t speak English. Tremblay brought translators into the room. They wrote all official messages into Spanish and Portuguese simultaneously, working in Google docs.

“This escalated, as you can imagine, pretty quickly,” Tremblay said.

Continue reading the article online
https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/03/30/behind-school-closure-decisions

“We didn't have weeks to act. We barely had days and we might be too late”

"testing capacity at the state lab will increase to approximately 400 patients per day"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Gov. Charlie Baker said there are currently no plans for a statewide shelter-in-place order, but he has put a number of unprecedented measures in place across Massachusetts.

Just after 6:20 p.m. Sunday, Baker ordered a more restrictive public gathering plan, banning all gatherings of 25 or more people. The governor’s initial ban was on gatherings of 250 or more people, which was put into place on Friday.

“These gatherings include all community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs and theaters,” Baker said.

Baker also banned bars and restaurants from serving food and drinks on site, but will allow them to serve food via takeout and delivery services. The on-site service ban begins Tuesday and is scheduled to last until April 17."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200315/gov-charlie-baker-bans-gatherings-of-over-25-people-orders-school-closure-restaurants-take-out-only

The page with all of Governor Baker's emergency orders on coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency

The page with all of Governor Baker's emergency orders on coronavirus (COVID-19)

DLS Alert: Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Order Modifying the State’s Open Meeting Law

Open meeting law regulations modified to allow public meeting to continue during this pandemic period

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Order Modifying the State's Open Meeting Law The Baker-Polito Administration today announced an emergency order temporarily modifying the state's open meeting law in order to allow state, quasi and local governments to continue to carry out essential functions and operations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This emergency order suspends the requirement for public access to the physical location where a public meeting is taking place, provided there are other means of access available. This includes the use of a phone conference line for members of the public, social media or other internet streaming services, on-line meeting services, or methods of access. Both the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) have advised residents to take extra measures to put distance between themselves and other people to further reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC and DPH have advised high-risk individuals, including people over the age of 60, anyone with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system, and pregnant women, to avoid large gatherings. Additionally, the order relieves the requirement that a quorum of members be physically present at a public meeting. During this period, members may all participate by remote or virtual means. This order is applicable to meetings of public bodies including commissions, boards, and committees that engage in policy making at the state, quasi and local level, and it does not apply to Town Meetings or judicial and quasi-judicial hearings. It follows Governor Baker's declaration of a State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 11, and it will remain in place until rescinded or the State of Emergency is terminated.

Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services · 100 Cambridge Street · Boston, MA 02114 · USA

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Dear Franklin Families,

Due to the forecast for frigid temperatures and cold wind chills this evening and early morning and the potential for lingering icy spots on roads and sidewalks, the Franklin Public Schools will be utilizing emergency busing tomorrow morning, Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Students who do not normally ride the bus who are walking or waiting along the route will be picked up by our drivers.

We do not anticipate a need for emergency busing in the afternoon.

Please take steps to appropriately prepare for tomorrow's weather. Boots or appropriate footwear, warm coats, hats and gloves or mittens will be critical in the morning hours.


Sincerely,

The Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

School Transportation info https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation

[Residents] Police Business Line Service Restored

The Franklin Police business line service has been restored. Please call 508-528-1212 for all non-emergency Police services. 

Franklin Police Business Line Service Restored

 

[Residents] Franklin Police Business Line experiencing an outage

Please be advised we are experiencing outages with our 508-528-1212 business line. 

Any non emergency or emergency police services please call the Metacomet Emergency Community Center 911 line. 

Franklin Police Business Line experiencing an outage

"NOAA predicts near-normal 2019 Atlantic hurricane season"

"NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting that a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. This outlook forecasts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season. The hurricane season officially extends from June 1 to November 30. 

For 2019, NOAA predicts a likely range of 9 to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes."

Continue reading about the NOAA outlook for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane season:
https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-predicts-near-normal-2019-atlantic-hurricane-season




For the geeks who use RSS feeds (like I do) you can find the RSS selection of NOAA data here  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutrss.shtml


What are the names for the storms for the 1029 season?

A graphic showing 2019 Atlantic tropical cyclone names selected by
the World Meteorological Organization. (NOAA)

Hurricane season starts June 1. Are you ready?

Hurricane season starts June 1. Are you ready? by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, and a great time to make a plan to deal with weather emergencies. Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and other natural disasters, can occur with little warning, and the effects come in many forms. Hurricanes may include heavy rainfall, high winds, storm surge, inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents.  Are you ready to leave your home at a moment's notice? The FTC's site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has practical tips to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/05/hurricane-season-starts-june-1-are-you-ready?utm_campaign=weather-emergencies&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC)

Construction on the building continues. We anticipate dispatching our first call in early 2019. Once complete the MECC will operate state of the art systems and equipment to handle the dispatching of police, fire and EMS calls for service for the four communities; Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham. We will serve a combined population of just under 66,000 residents (2015 census data) covering 76.7 square miles.

The State 911 Department will begin “text to 911” service of the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system later this year. This will enable our call takers to assist with emergency calls with the deaf and hard of hearing population or those who cannot verbally communicate. Remember, “Call If You Can, Text If You Can’t”.

The MECC will staff highly skilled, trained, professional telecommunicators ready to assist, day or night. Rest assured we stand ready to help you in your time of need.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary M Premo
Executive Director



You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports


In the Finance Committee meeting of Oct 16, 2018, we learned that Norfolk construction delays for regional dispatch center will affect Franklin and the budget for an additional three months. It was supposed to begin operation in Jan 2019, and is now scheduled for operation in March (Apr 1 for budgeting purposes). The discussion was to fund an $28K for Police and $70K for Fire to cover the delay.

The Franklin Matters notes from the FinCom meeting Oct 16
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/live-reporting-finance-committee-oct-16.html

Facebook photo for MECC  https://www.facebook.com/meccdispatch/?nr

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Franklin Fire Dept

The Department
The Franklin Fire Department is divided into two divisions: Operations and Maintenance, which is the largest and responsible for dispatch, emergency medical services, fire suppression and hazardous materials response. Administration and Support Services is responsible for personnel, budget and finance, training, code compliance and coordinating the Town’s emergency preparedness.

Our Mission
The mission of the Franklin Fire Department is to:
…Have a positive impact in the lives of citizens and visitors of Franklin in their time of crisis by providing compassionate, contemporary, community driven services.
…Safeguard human life from the perils of fire, sudden illness, injury or other emergency medical condition, natural and man-made disasters as well as preserve the environment and property from ensuing destruction.
… Be responsible for a safe, productive and pleasant work environment for our employees, and provide them opportunities to gain new skills and advance their personal career goals.

Operational Objectives

• Initiating advanced life support to patients within 10 minutes of receiving the telephone call at our communications center.
• To access, extricate, treat and transport and transport trauma patients to a level one trauma medical facility within one hour of the occurrence of the injury.
• Interrupt the progression of fires in structures within 10 minutes of open flame ignition.
• To insure response readiness remains greater than 70%.
• Provide safety and survival skills for all school students in grade K through 5 consistent with the Student Awareness Fire Education (SAFE) initiative of the Commonwealth.
• Provide educational opportunities for department members to insure optimal performance and safety.
• To develop and maintain “best practice” to insure personnel and citizen safety.
• Insure fire safety through timely, consistent code compliance services to all external customers.
• Provide all department services in a manner that satisfies the needs of our customers.
• Process emergency notifications in our dispatch center within 120 seconds of receiving the initial call for 99% of all calls.

Message from the Fire Chief
Fiscal Year 2018 again ended as the busiest year in department histories, breaking last year’s record a total of with 4,408 emergency responses. Fortunately, the community did not suffer any fire related deaths this year, although there were several tragic incidents which resulted in the loss of life. Department members suffer ten loss time work related injuries during the fiscal year.

This year saw the active engagement of our personnel in the development of specifications and standards on a host of issues, all intended to provide heightened levels of service to the citizens of Franklin. Personnel dedicated countless hours to develop specifications for the replacement of the department’s Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, replacement fire engine and replacement ambulance.

Work related cancer for workers in the fire – rescue services continues to be a cause for high concern. Multiple studies, including the soon-to-be-released NIOSH cancer study, have demonstrated credible evidence of higher rates of multiple types of cancers in firefighters compared to the general American population including:

• Testicular cancer (2.02 times greater risk)
• Multiple myeloma (1.53 times greater risk)
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1.51 times greater risk)
• Skin cancer (1.39 times greater risk)
• Prostate cancer (1.28 times greater risk)
• Malignant melanoma (1.31 times great risk)
• Brain cancer (1.31 times greater risk)
• Colon cancer (1.21 times great risk)
• Leukemia (1.14 times greater risk)

Work began last year will continue into the next and ensuing fiscal years to insure that we protect our members from this on-going epidemic.

We continue to see the number of calls for service that occur back-to-back or simultaneously grow at an alarming rate. Back-to-back or simultaneous calls are where the department receives another emergency call for service while managing a call for services (two at a time). In Fiscal Year 2018, this caused 144 ambulance responses from other Towns into Franklin. 

Although an improvement over the previous fiscal year, the use of out-of-town resources causes delay in our ability to provide timely transport to the hospital emergency room. Franklin’s average response time is 5 minutes, 44 seconds; the average response time for an out-of town ambulance is 12 minutes, 33 seconds – this time difference can have a great impact on the quality of patient outcomes for people with medical emergencies.

The trend of call distribution is compounded by the increasing calls for services. As previously noted, the department responded to 4,408 emergency responses in Fiscal Year 2018, an increase of more than 6% from Fiscal year 2017.

We believe the trend is in response to an upturn in our economy. This year saw increased occupancy rates in the Town’s Industrial Parks as well as opening of new businesses and facilities. All of these combine to bring more people into the community and increase the demands for our services. We will continue to monitor all of these trends and work with the community to develop strategies to maintain acceptable levels of emergency services within the Town.

This year saw the retirement of Firefighter Robert Donovan. Bob began his career with the department in 1988 and assisted in many department roles. Bob’s career with the department to including being among the first paramedics in the department and serving as the long time SAFE Officer completing fire safety education in the school system. We thank him all for his years of their dedication and service to the Town and wish him the best in retirement.

This year we welcomed new members James Polito, Brian Hamann, Matthew Starkey and Peter Ballou. All come to the department with a wide variety of experiences that strengthens our ability to provide services to the citizens of Franklin and we look forward to their long productive careers with the department.

In addition to emergency response, the department also continued to try to expand its fire prevention education activities, providing safety and survival education to the most vulnerable population to fire – our children and seniors. Through the dedicated efforts of SAFE Officer Keith Darling, the department reached over 7,600 individuals with safety related programming. This included 100% of all Elementary Students, summer YMCA Camps and various Boy and Girl Scout programs and tours as well as a various activities at the Senior Center. 

This year the department continued to offer home visit for our senior citizens and include 48 visits. The focus of these visits is to insure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, remove trip hazards as well as provide safety education. Firefighters Kevin Marshal, Bill Blanchard and Christian Mills provide dedicated assistance in completing this important service to our citizens.

In closing, I would like to recognize our employees, who are among the best fire service professional in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! They continue to work tirelessly to protect life and property within Franklin. In addition to their on-duty responses, our employees commit countless hours in continuing education and training targeted to maintain and improved upon their emergency skills. Additionally, they continue to press forward in attempt to provide the highest level of service to the community based upon advancement in the fire-rescue field and advancements in technology. They continue to be the chief reason for maintaining our current the level of success and level of services we provide our citizens of Franklin.

Respectfully submitted,
Gary B. McCarraher, Fire Chief

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

The newest vehicle in the Fire Dept, part of the truck rotation and life cycle program. Franklin sets aside money in an account to save over several years for the next truck