Author: Kayla Rochon

The Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee of Norton has developed a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan that identifies and prioritizes strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change on our community.

Engage with the Draft Plan:
• Online Access: Visit the Town’s website at https://www.nortonma.org/ to review the draft plan.
• In-Person Review: Hard copies are available for review at the Town Hall located at 70 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766, the Fire Department, and the Council on Aging.

Commentary Period: April 15, 2024 – April 29, 2024

To provide Feedback fill out the form HERE. 

Norton’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee has developed this plan as a strategy for our Town against existing and future natural hazard threats and the evolving challenges posed by climate change. Implementation of this plan will significantly enhance our resilience to hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperatures.

To view the Mitigation Plan click HERE.

Town officials and local stakeholders developed this plan with funding support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval, and Town adoption, of the Hazard Mitigation Plan allows the Town to pursue pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant opportunities.

For Further Inquiries:
• Shawn Simmons, Chief of Norton Fire Department
• Phone: 508-285-0249
• Email: simmonss@nortonfire.com

Public engagement lies at the core of our Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is imperative that this plan reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of our community members as we move to mitigate risks posed by natural hazards and climate change.

The Town looks forward to a collaborative effort in building a resilient and secure future!

NORTON — Chief Shawn Simmons announces that Deputy Chief Benton Keene III will retire from the Norton Fire Department at the end of the month.

After nearly half a century with the Norton Fire Department, Deputy Chief Keene will retire from the Norton Fire Department on Sept. 10, 2022.

Those wishing to bid Deputy Chief Keene a farewell and a happy retirement are invited to attend his retirement open house celebration on Thursday, Aug. 25 between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norton Fire Department, 70 East Main St. Light food and refreshments will be served at the event.

Deputy Chief Keene began his career in fire services when he joined the Norton Fire Department in 1975. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in 1990 before becoming a captain in 2006. Most recently, he was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2019.

Deputy Chief Keene was one of the first certified EMTs in the department, having become certified in 1977. Throughout his career, he worked in Code Enforcement and Fire Prevention for most of the major companies and businesses throughout Norton. In this position, Deputy Chief Keene assisted businesses from the beginning blueprint stages to their opening with approving fire alarms and sprinkler systems.

Deputy Chief Keene is also credited with updating and authoring all of the department’s Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies and overseeing its transfer from paper to an electronic format. Additionally, he wrote and administered the SAFER Grant which funded the hiring of four new firefighters.

Over the years, Deputy Chief Keene also served as the Incident Commander during several major incidents within the town.

Upon his retirement, Deputy Chief Keene plans to spend time with his wife Michelle, whom he has been married to for 41 years, along with his 4 daughters and 15
grandchildren.

“On behalf of the Norton Fire Department, we would like to thank Deputy Chief Keene for his dedicated service to the Norton community and wish him the very best in his retirement,” Chief Simmons said. “Throughout the past 47 years, he has been a staple within this department, serving as a leader and mentor to many. His expertise and experiences will be greatly missed.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTON – Chief Shawn Simmons reports that the Norton Fire Department responded after part of a tree struck a tree trimmer this evening.

On Sunday, May 1, at approximately 6:20 p.m., first responders were dispatched to 125 South Worcester St. for a report that part of a tree had fallen on a worker.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered that the tree was in the process of being cut down, and the worker, a 19-year-old man, was standing approximately 15-20 feet below when he was struck by a chunk of the tree.

The man was treated on scene by Norton Fire and was then transported by ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro where he was picked up by a medical helicopter and flown to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

The incident remains under investigation by the Norton Police Department. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was also notified of the incident.

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NORTON – Chief Shawn Simmons reports that the Norton Fire Department extinguished a two-alarm fire at a two-family home on Saturday.

At approximately 4:47 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, the Norton Fire Department was dispatched to a home at 43 Charlotte Avenue for a report of a fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire coming from the rear of the dwelling. A second alarm was struck due to the high fire volume and intense wind conditions in the area.

Norton firefighters, supported by crews from the Mansfield, Easton, North Attleborough, Attleboro and Taunton Fire Departments, conducted an aggressive attack and extinguished the fire in about 30 minutes.

There was one resident inside the home at the time of the fire, who was able to safely exit the dwelling on their own. No injuries were reported.

Town building and electrical inspectors were called to the scene and determined the building to be uninhabitable. The displaced residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Station coverage was provided by the Raynham and Rehoboth Fire Departments. Norton Police, as well as Norton and Mansfield Emergency Management also provided assistance at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Norton Fire Department and the State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Group 3 trained their new recruit on vehicle extrication using the “jaws of life” today. The “jaws of life” are actually hydraulic tools that are used to cut and spread things like car posts or doors.