STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department responded Wednesday to a Hazmat incident in a Main Street business.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, at approximately 1:18 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to LA Fitness, 121 Main St., for a report of a haze coming out of a rooftop HVAC unit.

Firefighters sounded the building’s fire alarms to evacuate the building. The Stoneham Fire Department ladder truck is out of service due to mechanical issues, so the Woburn Fire Department sent a ladder truck to assist. Firefighters were able to shut down the rooftop HVAC unit and declared a Tier 1 Hazmat.

The gas emitted by the HVAC unit is believed to be freon, but a regional state Hazmat team is responding to the incident to identify the gas conclusively and confirm that it is safe.

Firefighters from Woburn and Reading covered Stoneham’s fire station while companies responded to this incident.

Aug. 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day.

On this day we remember loved ones who have died from overdose and encourage support and recovery efforts for those impacted by substance use and overdose.

Save a life. An estimated 107,543 people died in 2023 from a drug overdose according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which marks the third straight year that deaths have surpassed 100,000.

To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day and some helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention click here: https://tinyurl.com/5y7a7r7a.

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton is pleased to report that the Stoneham Fire Department will be able to purchase five new automatic chest compression devices thanks to a $129,671 grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

The devices, which perform consistent, accurate chest compressions without experiencing fatigue, as humans do when performing CPR, will now be equipped on all of the Stoneham Fire Department’s fire apparatus. They also provide adequate chest compressions while firefighters are moving patients, especially down flights of stairs, which is difficult if not impossible without the device.

The purchase was made through grant funding, in the amount of $129,671, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant, and $12,967 from the fire department’s budget — a required 10 percent match of the grant.

Once the devices have been purchased and delivered, Armstrong Ambulance will train all Stoneham Firefighters on how to use the devices.

The successful application for the grant was written by Stoneham Fire Lt. Michael Rourke, the department’s Fire Prevention and Training officer.

“I’d like to thank the Department of Homeland Security for this grant that will expand our life-saving capabilities in a significant way,” said Chief Grafton. “I’d also like to thank Lt. Michael Rourke for writing this grant and enabling the department to make use of these federal funds.”

STONEHAM — On Thursday evening, members of Stoneham Police, Fire and Public Works will play the Stoneham Sandlot Spartans in a game of softball as part of the second annual Special Olympics softball tournament.

The local tournament was started last year, and is affiliated with the Special Olympics, the global movement enabling people with disabilities to train and participate in sports as part of an organized competition.

All proceeds from this year’s tournament will go toward the Stoneham Food Bank, a local pantry providing meals to people in need.

WHEN:

Thursday, July 18, 6-8 p.m.

WHERE:

Recreation Park, 99 Dale Ct, Stoneham