News - Stoneham Fire Department

Town of Stoneham Provides Social Distancing Guidance

April 1, 2020 by Kelsey Bode

STONEHAM — Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Health Agent John Fralick wish to provide residents with guidance for social distancing and to remind the public that social distancing guidelines have been extended through the month of April, per federal orders.

On Sunday, March 29, President Trump called for an extension to the nationwide social distancing guidelines. All residents must continue to avoid nonessential travel, going to work, eating at bars and restaurants and gathering in groups of more than 10 through the end of April.

“It is critical that residents adhere to guidance from federal, state and local health officials to practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible,” Fire Chief Grafton said. “We recognize that social distancing can be challenging, but it’s of the utmost importance that everyone does their part to reduce the spread of this virus.”

“We continue to receive reports of residents congregating on public fields and engaging in close contact activities,” Health Agent Fralick said. “Continued actions such as this may lead to the closure of public recreation spaces. It is very important for residents to exercise social distancing at this time, as the State DPH expects to see a surge in confirmed cases in the coming weeks.”

Health Officials Urge Residents to Stay at Home

Public health officials urgently encourage all residents to practice social distancing and remain at least six feet away from others while avoiding congregating in groups larger than 10. Regardless of your age, and no matter if you feel sick or not, it is important to follow social distancing guidelines and stay at home away from non-family contacts at this time.

Social distancing will help to minimize exposure among people, especially given that COVID-19 is highly contagious and people may be contagious prior to exhibiting symptoms. Parents should be sure to talk to their children about proper hygiene and prevention methods as well as the importance of social distancing.

Due to the evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Gov. Baker issued a stay-at-home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols earlier this month. Massachusetts residents are advised to stay home during this time in order to curb the spread of this virus, with the exception of essential activities such as going grocery shopping or picking up medication.

Town officials would also like to inform residents of the critical importance of not congregating in groups outside. While residents are encouraged to get outside for fresh air, it is unsafe to have groups of people at the playgrounds or playing team and contact sports.

Health Guidance

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and can appear between two and 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they may have the virus is advised to contact their health care provider. For more information from the CDC for those who may have the virus, click here.

Officials also wish to encourage residents to follow recommended preventative steps from the DPH:

Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
Keep your hands away from your face.
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety Amid COVID-19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are many ways to manage anxiety and stress as a result of the situation:

Share the facts about COVID-19 to understand the actual risk to yourself and other individuals. When you share accurate information about COVID-19 you can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them.
- Avoid posting or re-posting unverified information, claims, bogus medical information or conspiracy theories, as it only works to heighten emotions
Take breaks from listening, watching and reading the news.
Tend to your body. Stretch, mediate and take deep breaths. Try to eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Try to do other activities that are enjoyable.
Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Reassure children and teens that they are safe and that it is okay if they feel upset or stressed.
Be a role model to children and teens. Connect with friends and families while abiding to social distancing standards, including the use of video calling services like FaceTime.

“If you are experiencing a great deal of stress and anxiety due to the current situation please reach out to the senior center for someone to talk to and connect you to resources available,” said Maureen Canova, Stoneham Senior Center director.

To contact the Stonham Senior Center, call 781-438-1157 or email [email protected].

COVID-19 Information Resources

Stoneham officials encourage everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19. The following websites are recommended for the most updated information:

Town website: https://www.stoneham-ma.gov/
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/covid-19
Massachusetts 2-1-1 general COVID-19 information: Click here or dial 2-1-1 (24/7)
Sign up for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Text Message Notification System to receive important updates: text “COVIDMA” to 888-777
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov

Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

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Town of Stoneham Provides Updated Information Related to COVID-19

March 24, 2020 by Leah Comins

STONEHAM — Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Matthew Grafton, Health Agent John Fralick and Chief of Police James McIntyre wish to provide the residents of Stoneham with new information regarding the town’s response to the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness. The virus has moved the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global pandemic. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency and Governor Charlie Baker has declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts.

Town officials would like to notify residents and business owners about the announcement made by Gov. Baker that all non-essential businesses will need to close by noon on Tuesday, March 24 until April 7. This measure is being done to promote social distancing efforts and to help stop the spread of the virus. All non-essential businesses in Stoneham are asked to adhere to the governor’s order.

For a list of businesses that considered “essential” click here
To file an Essential Service Designation Request click here

Gov. Baker has also advised that gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed at this time and restaurants have limited their service to take out and deliveries only.

Board of Health

Stoneham Board of Health has received confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19 in the Town of Stoneham. The reported party has been in isolation for the past two weeks after returning from abroad and developing symptoms. All primary and secondary contacts have been identified in regards to this case and are currently in self-quarantine for the next 14 days. They have been instructed to follow DPH and CDC protocols regarding symptoms, reporting and subsequent testing. No school contacts in regards to this case have been identified at this time. All primary and secondary contacts will remain in self-quarantine and will be monitored daily.

Town Hall

Effective immediately, Town Hall departments will reduce staffing, with employees working remotely to perform essential functions. Staff will be available to answer questions and help residents from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Those who need to conduct essential business with the town are asked to email or leave a voicemail with the appropriate department, who will then attempt to make a suitable accommodation to meet.

Police Department

Parking

All overnight parking enforcement has been temporarily suspended by the Stoneham Police Department. Residents are asked to continue to be mindful of neighbors and public ways when parking.

Firearms Licensing

The Stoneham Police Department is not scheduling in-person appointments to process applications for firearm identification cards (FID) or licenses to carry firearms (LTC) at this time. Please go to the police department’s website for further information regarding firearms licensing. The police department will work with residents to ensure that LTC/FID renewals take place prior to the expiration of their current license.

Door-to-Door Solicitor Permits

The Stoneham Police Department will not be processing applications for door-to-door solicitors until further notice.

Fire Department

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

All non-essential inspections are suspended until further notice. The expiration date for licenses, certificates or registrations issues by the Department of Fire Services and State Fire Marshall has been extended for those that were in good standing on March 18, 2020.

Those who are purchasing a new home will be responsible for equipping their homes with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, not the seller. This is in place until further notice and will remain in place for up to 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted. Buyers must then notify the Fire Department and schedule an inspection within the 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted.

Department of Public Works

The Department of Public Works would also like to remind to not flush anything down your sewage lines other than toilet paper. Other items, like wipes (even flushable), rags or paper towels will clog town sewer lines and systems, potentially creating other public health crises.

Senior Center

The Senior Center is now staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. At this time, the Senior Center is providing grocery shopping services-taking orders, fulfilling them and delivering the order as well as picking up prescriptions. These services are available Monday through Thursday. Please call the Senior Center at 781-438-1157 with any concerns, questions or if you need information on available resources.

Stoneham Schools

Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunches are available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at both Stoneham High School, at 149 Franklin St. and Robin Hood Elementary School, at 70 Oak St. If you have any questions regarding the meals program, please email [email protected].

Students who have technical issues please email [email protected]

Prevention Tips

All residents are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing — maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from other people — and appropriate personal hygiene.

In an effort to prevent the spread of flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses, residents should follow the recommended actions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH):

For a minimum of 20 seconds, wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with those who are sick
Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
When you have a fever or are ill, stay home from work or school

Officials are constantly monitoring state and federal guidance regarding the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

The state has also set up the phone number 211 to answer questions that residents may have concerning COVID-19.

For more information, visit CDC’s website here or the DPH’s website here.

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Three Stoneham Firefighters Complete State Firefighting Academy

March 24, 2020 by Matthew Reid

From left: Stoneham Firefighters Andy Chabak, Stephanie Dilendick and Arthur Yeomelakis, with Chief Matthew Grafton, at their swearing-in ceremony in January. (Courtesy Photo Stoneham Fire Department)

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton is pleased to announce that three Stoneham firefighters completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy last week.

Firefighters Arthur Yeomalakis, Stefanie Dilendick and Andy Chabak each completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 281, along with 31 other graduates.

Firefighter Yeomelakis is a Stoneham native who graduated from Stoneham High School in 2005 before going into woodworking and later serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Marine, he achieved the rank of Corporal and worked a section head issuing and receiving ammunition while stationed in California before being honorably discharged in 2012. He once again resides in Stoneham and has served as a Stoneham Police officer since 2015.

Also a Stoneham native, Firefighter Dilendick is a 2008 graduate of Arlington Catholic High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Franklin Pierce University. In 2014, she joined the U.S. Air Force, where she worked in Security Forces at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada before transferring to Hanscom Air Force Base. She achieved the rank of Senior Airman prior to her honorable discharge last June.

Both Firefighter Yeomelakis and Firefighter Dilendick have completed the Emergency Medical Technician course.

Firefighter Chabak grew up in Stoneham and graduated from Tewksbury High School in 2012. Upon his graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Low Altitude Air Defense Gunner stationed in North Carolina. He was deployed to the Mediterranean for six months between 2014-2015 and achieved the rank of Sergeant prior to being honorably discharged in 2016. In 2017, he became a certified Emergency Medical Technician.

“I commend each of these three firefighters for committing to this rigorous training program and for their dedication to serving the men and women of Stoneham,” Chief Grafton said. “First responders such as Arthur, Stefanie and Andy are on the front lines each and every day, and we are proud of their accomplishments.”

The intensive 10-week state firefighting academy for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, skills training and live firefighting practice. Previously, the program was nine weeks, but an another week has been added to allow for additional time focused on water rescue, power saws, live fire training and Firefighter I/II practical skills.

Firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling.

To graduate, firefighters were required to demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack (ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires).

The remaining recruits represent the 19 other fire departments, including: Athol, Beverly, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Concord, Danvers, Fairhaven, Fitchburg, Littleton, Lowell, Newton, Peabody, Sharon, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn.

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Town of Stoneham Provides Updated Information Related to COVID-19

March 16, 2020 by Melissa Proulx

Officials Limit Public Access to Municipal Buildings and Offer Volunteer Opportunities to Support Senior and High Risk Residents

Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Matthew Grafton, Health Agent John Fralick and Chief of Police James McIntyre wish to provide the residents of Stoneham with new information regarding the town’s response to the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness. The virus has moved the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global pandemic. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency and Governor Charlie Baker has declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts.

As of Monday, March 16, there are currently no confirmed or presumptive cases of the virus in Stoneham.

“There are three simple things you can do as a resident of Stoneham to help slow down the spread of this dangerous illness,” Emergency Management Director Matthew Grafton said. “Practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and calling your healthcare provider if you believe you may have symptoms of the virus.”

Additionally, town officials want residents to be aware that they can call 2-1-1 to reach the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with any questions relating to COVID-19. The hotline is available 24/7 and provides information, resources and referrals in multiple languages.

Local departments are additionally limiting public access to municipal buildings as a preventative measure to limit the possibility for exposure to COVID-19 for both the public and town staff.

Police and Fire Departments

Residents should be aware that police, fire, and inspection service members have all been instructed to maintain a social distance of six feet between individuals when responding to a call and avoid all unnecessary personal contact. The Police and Fire Departments are working with dispatchers and ambulance staff to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, and dispatchers will ask residents to answer specific questions to help identify possible cases of COVID-19 so that first responders can take appropriate steps to stay healthy.

The Stoneham Police Department remains open, but residents are asked to call the department for any matter that does not necessitate a visit to the building at their business line at 781-438-1215. If residents must visit the building, Chief McIntyre asks that residents avoid crowding in the lobby and only enter if there is sufficient space for social distancing.

The Stoneham Fire Department suspended walk-in services temporarily on Monday to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, to staff and the public. Residents seeking non-emergency services are encouraged to call the Stoneham Fire Department’s business line at 781-438-0127.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency. Both Departments will continue to respond as normal.

Town Hall

Stoneham Town Hall will only be open by appointment beginning on Tuesday, March 17, and appointments can be made Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Town Hall officials encourage residents to utilize the Town Hall website as much as possible, as there are many forms and transactions that can be completed online. Residents who need to schedule an in-person meeting with Town staff can contact staff at (781) 279-2600 to set up an appointment before travelling to Town Hall.

Recreation Department

The Stoneham Recreation Department has postponed all town-sponsored recreational programming until Monday, April 6, 2020. All permitted uses of the town-owned athletic fields, playgrounds and recreation facilities, will also be suspended until Monday, April 6, 2020.. Recreation Department services will be available at Town Hall on an “appointment only” basis and any recreation or athletic field related inquiries are encouraged to submitted via email to [email protected] beginning on March 17, 2020.

Effective immediately, Recreation Director Steve Angelo will be serving as the Director of Volunteer Fulfillment for the Town of Stoneham until further notice. Any individual or group who wish to volunteer or contribute toward assisting our at-risk and most vulnerable community members are encouraged to reach out to the Recreation Office at 781-279-2609 or [email protected]gov. A brief questionnaire will be distributed to all interested volunteers to help to coordinate schedules and services.

Stoneham Arena

The Stoneham Arena will be closed until further notice.

Public Works

Administrative offices for Public Works are also only open by appointment, and residents can call 781-438-0760 to schedule an in-person meeting.

The Stoneham Department of Public Works asks residents to be mindful of the extra load on municipal sewer systems while more people than usual are in their homes throughout the day. Residents should not flush any paper towels, sanitary cleaning wipes or rags down the toilet. Flushing these items could cause issues with the municipal sewer system and town sewer pumping stations. Please dispose of paper towels, sanitary wipes and rags in your normal trash.

Trash pickup and collection schedules will continue uninterrupted.

The Stoneham Facilities Department will continue its thorough deep cleaning regimen of all town buildings and is maintaining an inventory of supplies to support this process.

Schools

Stoneham Public Schools are closed through Friday, April 3. Students in grades 3-6 who did not bring their Chromebooks home may collect them at Stoneham High School, 149 Franklin St. from 10 a.m. to noon.

Stoneham Public School’s breakfast and lunch programs will continue during the closure. Starting Monday, March 16, Grab-and-Go Meals will be provided at Robin Hood Elementary, 70 Oak St. and Stoneham High schools. Pick up at Robin Hood will be in the front entrance lobby, and pick up at the high school will be the Cafe. If picking up at the high school, please use the cafe entrance door by the side parking lot.

Breakfast can be picked up from 8-9:30 a.m. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Senior Center

The Stoneham Senior Center remains closed until further notice. The center will continue to provide transportation to local grocery stores and pharmacies. The Council can be reached at 781-438-1157 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Officials are constantly monitoring state and federal guidance regarding the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Board of Health Press Release – 3/15/2020

March 15, 2020 by stonehammafdgalla

The Town of Stoneham will be issuing up to date press releases as new information becomes available. The Board of Health continues to monitor all reports as they are delivered from the MAVEN electronic reporting database in use by the MDPH. The majority of monitoring cases at this time have returned as negative. The remaining reported parties identified for testing remain in precautionary self-quarantine awaiting results from the State. As of 3/15/2020 there are no confirmed cases or presumptive positive cases being reported in the Town of Stoneham.

**Please be aware of false and misleading information that may be in circulation at this time. We ask that all information is properly fact-checked for the sake of all Town residents. All information on the Town of Stoneham website has been approved from State and Federal agencies as fact.**

We ask all residents, as a precautionary measure, exercise proper social distancing at this time. We implore residents to call ahead to Town departments if they are required to conduct essential Town-related business and refrain from unnecessary visiting where phone and electronic communications would be sufficient. We ask that all residents remain vigilant in doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Town Hall will be open Monday, 3/16/2020, with days and hours of operation subject to change as we monitor the evolving situation. Please refer to the Town website for more information regarding closures and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

Thank you for your vigilance and steadfast precaution.

3-15-20 Board of Health Press Release