New firefighters Robert Cormier (left) and Kyle Cameron (right) being sworn into the Norton Fire Department. (Photo Courtesy of the Norton Fire Department)
NORTON — Fire Chief Shawn Simmons is pleased to announce that the Norton Fire Department welcomed two new firefighters into their ranks this week.
On Monday, April 3, Robert Cormier and Kyle Cameron were sworn into the Norton Fire Department by Town Clerk Lucia Longhurst in Chief Simmon’s office in the Norton Fire Department.
Cormier and Cameron will participate in a four-week department orientation before being assigned a shift. They will then attend the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Springfield.
“I would like to welcome our two newest firefighters to the Norton Fire Department,” Chief Simmons said. “Both firefighters will be excellent additions to our team and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure the safety of our town.”
Cormier is a lifelong Norton resident who has worked as an EMT and a call volunteer firefighter for the Plainville Fire Department.
Cameron grew up in Attleboro and has worked previously as an EMT. His father is a district fire chief and his brother is a firefighter for the Attleboro Fire Department.
NORTON — Fire Chief Shawn Simmons and the Norton Fire Department invite parents and caregivers to have their car seats inspected by a certified car seat technician.
The Norton Fire Department will have a certified car seat technician on-site to inspect installed car seats and make adjustments as needed. Those seeking inspections are asked to bring both the car seat and vehicle manual to check for compatibility.
Those interested in having their car seats inspected must make an appointment with the department ahead of time. Appointments can be made online on the Norton Fire Department Website.
Individuals making an appointment must fill out the form online and the certified car seat technician will then contact you to schedule an appointment. Community members can also contact Deputy Chief Michael Wilson at wilsonm@nortonfire.com or Lt. Josh Jorge at jorgej@nortonfire.com to learn more or schedule an appointment.
“It can be difficult to tell if a car seat is installed properly, but it is the most important safety feature parents can use to keep their children safe while driving,” Chief Simmons said. “We encourage parents and caregivers to make an appointment and ensure their children are at a lower risk for injury if an accident occurs.”
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of death for children in the U.S. Properly securing children in age and size-appropriate car seats greatly lowers the risk of serious and fatal injuries. The CDC reports that:
Car seat use reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71-82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.
Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4-8, when compared with seat belt use alone.
For older children and adults, seat belt use reduces the risk of death and serious injury by about half.
NORTON — Chief Shawn Simmons is pleased to announce that due to the success of the first two classes, the Norton Fire Department is offering a third CPR class in April and encourages those interested to sign up.
WHEN:
Sunday, April 16 from 9-11 a.m.
WHERE:
Norton Fire Department, 70 East Main St.
WHAT:
The free community CPR class will cover CPR and choking for adults, children and infants. The course is open to anyone aged 10 years and older.
This class is intended for those who do not need a course completion card for a job or other requirements. This class is ideal for community groups, parents, grandparents, students, caregivers and anyone interested in learning how to save a life.
“The popularity we have had with our CPR program has been truly remarkable,” Chief Simmons said. “The first two classes sold out quickly and we’re hoping the third allows for more residents to learn these life-saving skills.”
Those interested in attending the class must sign-up in advance. To sign up for the class or to learn more information, click here.
Those looking for a certification class can call the Norton Fire Department at 508-285-0246 for more information.
Chief Shawn Simmons is pleased to announce that Firefighter Kelsey Bisio has been honored as a 2022 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year finalist.
Firefighter Bisio was one of 12 finalists throughout the state to be honored as a 2022 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year finalist at the 27th annual Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference.
Firefighter Bisio has been a member of the Norton Fire Department for the past four-and-a-half years. Prior to joining Norton, she served at another fire department for three-and-a-half years.
About a year ago, Firefighter Bisio assumed the role of Safety Coordinator in which she is responsible for overseeing the Safe & Senior Safe program. In this role, she’s worked with local teachers to institute a rewards program that includes lunch with a firefighter, rides to school in the fire truck and recess time with firefighters. She is currently assisting middle school special education teacher Jen Sullivan with developing a new fire safety curriculum for special education students.
Firefighter Bisio also works with the local Council on Aging to deliver five-gallon buckets of sand to elderly residents for their walkways during the winter. Under her supervision, the Norton Fire Department has also teamed up with local schools to develop a program where students will shovel elderly neighbors’ walkways and tweet pictures of their work.
“Upon her taking over the Safe & Senior Safe program, Firefighter Bisio embraced her new role and has had an immediate, positive impact on our community,” Chief Simmons said. “She has brought our program to the next level with her innovative ideas that have gotten those who may have not had much interaction with our department before interacting with us on a regular basis now. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor and on behalf of the department I congratulate her on everything she’s accomplished so far.”
An award ceremony concluded the two-day conference. Chief Simmons, Deputy Chief Jason Robbins and Lt. Joshua Jorge were in attendance supporting Firefighter Bisio at the ceremony.
The conference featured 40 hours of workshops that covered topics from safety for older adults to identifying potential active shooter threats. Attendees heard from featured speakers including Capt. Brian Tyson of the Barnstable Fire Department; Karla Klas, who manages the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center’s prevention programs; and Jessica Sondgeroth, Community Risk Reduction outreach program coordinator for South Carolina State Fire.
The Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference brings fire educators, prevention officers, teachers, care specialists, and others together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and recognize the Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year. This year’s conference was held at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center in Southbridge.
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From left: Fire Marshall Peter J. Ostroskey, Deputy Chief Jason Robbins, Firefighter Kelsey Bisio and Chief Shawn Simmons at the 27th annual Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
From left: Deputy Chief Jason Robbins, Firefighter Kelsey Bisio and Chief Shawn Simmons at the 27th annual Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Chief Shawn Simmons is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new website for the Norton Fire Department that will allow citizens to access fire-related news, resources, permits and to get in touch with the department.
The website offers a modern design and user-friendly features, which includes a department news blog and an interactive home page.
Along with these features, residents can contact the department and learn more about new programs being offered, such as the S.A.F.E. program, which teaches children and seniors about fire safety.
Additionally, the website makes it easy to access permits, for instance, the Open Burning permit; or find helpful resources like car seat installation and inspection. The website even displays the FY 2022 statistics for calls for service.
“We are excited to launch this website to help Norton residents access information about fire safety, burn permits and other matters more easily than ever before,” Chief Simmons said. “We hope community members take advantage of the website to connect with the department, learn more about fire safety and stay up to date with the latest news.”
The new website was designed by John Guilfoil Public Relations.
NORTON — The Norton Fire Department celebrated the 47-year career of Deputy Chief Benton Keene III on Thursday, Aug. 25, at the station headquarters.
Dozens of people were in attendance for the celebration for Deputy Chief Benton, including family, friends, local officials and several members of the Norton Fire Department.
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Dozens of people were in attendance at the Norton Fire Department on Thursday, Aug. 25 to celebrate the 47-year career of Deputy Chief Benton Keene III. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Massachusetts State Sen. Paul Feeney speaks about Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III during a celebration of Keene’s career on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Norton Fire Department. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Massachusetts State Sen. Paul Feeney hands Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III a citation from the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday, Aug. 25. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Massachusetts State Representative Steven Howitt speaks about Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III before presenting him with a citation. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Norton Select Board Member Michael Toole announced that Sept. 10, 2022, will be Benton Keene III Day in Norton. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Norton Fire Chief Shawn Simmons and Deputy Chief Benton Keene III hug during the ceremony. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Captain Alvan Fuller, left, and Firefighter Scott White present Deputy Chief Benton Keene III with a toy antique fire truck during a celebration of his 47-year career on Thursday, Aug. 25. (Photo courtesy Norton Fire Department)
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
Norton Fire Deputy Chief Benton Keene III Retirement
