Franklin's 1949 American Lafrance Fire Truck Returns - June 30, 2020 (YouTube)

"The Franklin Fire Department has received an exceptionally generous donation from Edward Guzowski. He has donated a 1949 American LaFrance Model 7-75-AJO 75’ Service aerial truck.

We would like to thank Edward Guzowski for his generous donation. The Fire Truck has been kept in impeccable condition and remains a functional driving vehicle.

The truck he is donating is the first ladder truck the Town of Franklin ever bought."

The brief ceremony acknowledging the donation was held at Station 1 today

Video link = https://youtu.be/0L17vwcxvKc

Rep Jeff Roy tries out the 'air conditioned' front seat

side view of the vehicle

 end view of the 75' aerial ladder

The Town Council legislation for action to accept the donation on June 3, 2020
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._resolution_20-30_gift_acceptance_-_fire_dept._-_truck.pdf


View the set of photos taken on June 30, 2020 at Station 1

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Remote Meeting - Held on “ZOOM” Platform 4:30 - 6:30 PM

A NOTE TO RESIDENTS: Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Town Council Meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns.

● Link to access meeting: April 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Link HERE* -- Then click “Open Zoom”

● Call-In Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID # 928 8757 4249 --Then press #

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1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION

a. Coronavirus Updates: When will Franklin Businesses Reopen, when and how?

A Community Conversation with a Town Department Head Roundtable including Town Administrator Jamie Hellen; Town Attorney Mark Cerel; Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet; Health Department Staff, Cathy Liberty and Ginny McNeil; Chief of Police TJ Lynch; Fire Chief Jim McLaughlin; and Building Inspector Gus Brown.

3. ADJOURN


*For meeting security, residents should take the extra step to find the access code in the Town of Franklin PDF (this should eliminate all but the seriously nefarious folks)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-04-22_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

FM #233 Fire Chief James McLaughlin 3/04/20 (audio)

FM #233 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 233 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Fire Chief James McLaughlin. We had managed to meet in person to record this at the Franklin studio on March 4 and while we did briefly discuss coronavirus this was ‘back in the old times’ before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this recording almost got ‘lost in the mix’ of the pandemic, most of what we covered is as valid today as when we recorded it. A few of the time references may change due to our new circumstances. The Fire Dept did successfully host their St Patrick’s meal at the Senior Center on Friday, March 6. The one scheduled for Friday, March 13 was canceled as we entered shutdown mode.

Chief McLaughlin shares the story of his work and how the road led him from Warwick, RI to Franklin. He was appointed in June 2019 and in the course of our discussion talks about his first several months on the job.

We will schedule another session (to be conducted remotely) to catch up on what he and the fire department are doing during the pandemic. This conversation runs about 39 minutes, so settle in and listen to my conversation with Chief McLaughlin. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-233-fire-chief-mclaughlin-03-04-20

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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!

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

FM #233 Fire Chief James McLaughlin 3/04/20 (audio)

Town of Franklin - Fire Dept: Message to Franklin community - 3/30/20

Dear members of the Franklin community,

We are fortunate to be a town comprised of residents, families, business owners, students and visitors. The Franklin Fire Department continues to stand ready to serve each of you and today I am writing to update you regarding what steps we have taken to date to insure the safety of our town, specifically in terms of the COVID-19 virus.

As you are aware, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declared a State of Emergency on March 10, 2020.

As a result, the Franklin Fire Department issued several General Orders over the past several weeks to all members of the department to ensure the safety of community members, themselves and their families. Some of the significant orders include medical screening of personnel before reporting to duty, strict daily cleaning guidelines for the vehicles, equipment and stations as well as setting protocols for emergency personnel interaction with all members of the public.

The Department has an adequate reserve of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and has submitted more orders through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and private vendors for the continued safety of everyone in our town. While it is necessary that both fire stations be closed to the public for safety reasons, online burn permitting is still available
at www.franklinma.gov/fire-department. By order of the Governor, smoke and carbon monoxide inspections have been postponed until further notice.

I want to assure you that the level of service from the Franklin Fire Department has not and will not change during this time. We have made the necessary modifications to our standard practices based on the guidance of the health professionals. The men and women of the department are well trained and have the proper equipment and support they need from the Town to perform our vital services to the community.

I urge everyone to please abide by the recommendations made by the CDC, the Governor and the Department of Health. In addition to those organizations’ websites, also stay up to date on local information at www.franklinma.gov.

We will continue to be in touch with you as this situation evolves. Please feel free to reach out to me personally at 508-570-8248 with any questions or concerns you have in the meantime.

Thank you and please stay safe and healthy. 

James G. McLaughlin
Fire Chief/EMA Director

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_letter_-_ffd.pdf
 

Town of Franklin - Fire Dept:  Message to Franklin community - 3/30/20