Please turn out and be represented! We had a decent turn out last year at the dedication. We can always do better!
Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Annual Memorial Ceremony
When: Thursday, September 11, 2008
6:00 PM
Where: Site of the Memorial in Ashburton Park
Bowdoin Street side of MA State House in Boston
What: Annual Firefighter Remembrance Ceremony
Ring of Honor will be available for viewing following
the Ceremony
This is an outside event and will take place rain or shine.
On Thursday September 11th, 2008 The Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial will be held at 6 p.m. from the site of The Fallen Firefighters Memorial Statue in Ashburton Park at the State House.
We are asking all off duty members, Honor guards and Gallic Bands to attend this annual event. We will assemble at the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street at 5 p.m. and march to the memorial site for the ceremony.
Dress: Class A Uniform.
There is parking available at the Boston Common underground garage
RSVP: RSVP by September 4th
Indicate Name, Dept. and Number Attending
Email: mailto:melissa@mafirememorial.org
Phone: 1 (888) ASK FIRE (275-3473)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Great Barrington fire station breaks ground
The project becomes reality after more than a decade of debate.
By Trevor Jones, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 08/19/2008 08:36:41 AM EDT
Tuesday, August 19
GREAT BARRINGTON — After 10 years of contentious debate, they dug in their shovels with a sense of pride and a sigh of relief.
It was all part of the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Great Barrington fire station on State Road yesterday. The $9.48 million project has taken many different shapes over the past decade, but town officials expressed elation that construction on a modern facility was set to begin.
"It's been a real long haul, but it's all worth it," said Anthony Blair, co-chairman of the project's finance committee.
The station, which will be located between Mechanic and North streets, will replace the 109-year-old facility on Castle Street. The current station, deemed untenable several years ago, is in serious disrepair and does not meet the needs of the Fire Department.
The new station will feature several added amenities — such as sleeping quarters and a kitchen — with the intention of some day adding full-time firefighters. Also, response-time studies have shown the location to be ideal for servicing the area.
"This is a big step forward," said Richard Coons, finance committee co-chairman. "It will be much safer and better ... not just for today, but for 30 to 40 years down the road."
There was a crowd of more than 50 spectators on hand to celebrate the moment. A large group of firefighters, state legislators, designers and current and former town officials
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in the ceremony spoke to the large swath of people involved in the project's history.
In April 2007, the town approved the new station and the $9.48 million loan. Later that year, the companies Clark and Green, of Great Barrington, and Pacheco-Ross, of Voorheesville, N.Y., were chosen to design the facility. This July, Fontaine Bros. Inc., of Springfield, was chosen to build the station for $5 million.
Prior to the final approval, the facility was widely debated in the community since it was first considered more than a decade ago. Early plans included repairing the currently facility and building a new facility at an estimated $1 million.
Several town-owned locations were later discussed, but some were not centrally located and others, like the Gilmore Avenue land, drew criticism because they were in a heavily residential areas.
To help garner more support, later changes included a 2,000 square feet smaller building proposal and as much as a million dollars less in funds. The final addition came before the town vote, when officials decided to purchase the current parcel for $2.45 million. Formerly known as the Broverman buildings, the buildings were then razed so construction could begin.
Despite the many changes, the final proposal drew a consensus from town officials and residents for its lower costs and for improving the Fire Department's ability to service the community.
"This really needed to happen," said Harry Jennings, Great Barrington fire chief. "And it happened at the right time and in the right place."
At a glance ...
Estimated cost: $9.48 million
Scheduled completion date: November 2009
Size: One floor, with more than 16,000 square feet of usable space
Features: Six fire truck bays; training facilities, including a repelling tower, a confined-space rescue area and exercise space; male and female bunk rooms; a computer network; a full-sized kitchen; a traffic light; increased storage space; and a large parking lot.
By Trevor Jones, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 08/19/2008 08:36:41 AM EDT
Tuesday, August 19
GREAT BARRINGTON — After 10 years of contentious debate, they dug in their shovels with a sense of pride and a sigh of relief.
It was all part of the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Great Barrington fire station on State Road yesterday. The $9.48 million project has taken many different shapes over the past decade, but town officials expressed elation that construction on a modern facility was set to begin.
"It's been a real long haul, but it's all worth it," said Anthony Blair, co-chairman of the project's finance committee.
The station, which will be located between Mechanic and North streets, will replace the 109-year-old facility on Castle Street. The current station, deemed untenable several years ago, is in serious disrepair and does not meet the needs of the Fire Department.
The new station will feature several added amenities — such as sleeping quarters and a kitchen — with the intention of some day adding full-time firefighters. Also, response-time studies have shown the location to be ideal for servicing the area.
"This is a big step forward," said Richard Coons, finance committee co-chairman. "It will be much safer and better ... not just for today, but for 30 to 40 years down the road."
There was a crowd of more than 50 spectators on hand to celebrate the moment. A large group of firefighters, state legislators, designers and current and former town officials
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in the ceremony spoke to the large swath of people involved in the project's history.
In April 2007, the town approved the new station and the $9.48 million loan. Later that year, the companies Clark and Green, of Great Barrington, and Pacheco-Ross, of Voorheesville, N.Y., were chosen to design the facility. This July, Fontaine Bros. Inc., of Springfield, was chosen to build the station for $5 million.
Prior to the final approval, the facility was widely debated in the community since it was first considered more than a decade ago. Early plans included repairing the currently facility and building a new facility at an estimated $1 million.
Several town-owned locations were later discussed, but some were not centrally located and others, like the Gilmore Avenue land, drew criticism because they were in a heavily residential areas.
To help garner more support, later changes included a 2,000 square feet smaller building proposal and as much as a million dollars less in funds. The final addition came before the town vote, when officials decided to purchase the current parcel for $2.45 million. Formerly known as the Broverman buildings, the buildings were then razed so construction could begin.
Despite the many changes, the final proposal drew a consensus from town officials and residents for its lower costs and for improving the Fire Department's ability to service the community.
"This really needed to happen," said Harry Jennings, Great Barrington fire chief. "And it happened at the right time and in the right place."
At a glance ...
Estimated cost: $9.48 million
Scheduled completion date: November 2009
Size: One floor, with more than 16,000 square feet of usable space
Features: Six fire truck bays; training facilities, including a repelling tower, a confined-space rescue area and exercise space; male and female bunk rooms; a computer network; a full-sized kitchen; a traffic light; increased storage space; and a large parking lot.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Williamstown Barn Burns After Lightning Strike
WILLIAMSTOWN — A barn at Bonnie Lea Farm went up in flames after being hit by lightning earlier this evening.
No one was injured and no animals harmed but the barn is a total
Click Here for the full story
No one was injured and no animals harmed but the barn is a total
Click Here for the full story
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