Fire Chief: 'Prepare for the Worst and Hope for the Best'

"I have been monitoring the storm and its potential since Tuesday," Fire Chief David Durgin told Patch. "I have been participating in (Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) MEMA and the National Weather Service conference calls since Wednesday."

Beginning Thursday afternoon, Durgin participates in conference calls with National Grid to discuss planning and communication related to NG's respose plan and communications with Northborough.

"All residents are urged to make preparedness plans and protective measures now and anticipate possible pro-longed power outages. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detection.Be extremely aware and careful in using alternate heating sources and emergency generators!  Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!"

The fire department, reminds Durgin, is always in a "state of very high response readiness as a nature of what we do every day."

All the vehicles are ready to go, said Durgin, with an emphasis on the department's on and off-road four-wheel drive vehicles. One of the fire engines will be equipped with road tire chains in the event of extreme road conditions, and ambulances have been updated with supplies. Emergency generators, chainsaws, communications and communications backup systems are also ready to go.

"I have spoken and coordinated with the dPW Director as to his departments readiness and the town’s fuel supply," said Durgin.

The Fire Department will bring on additional personnel starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, and ramps up to full staffing at 6 p.m. on Friday, or noon on Saturday, depending on the nature of the storm. 

As a reminder, should emergency shelters need to be opened the residents will be notified through various media outlets such as Northborough Patch. Do not assume that shelters will opened. Refer all power, phone and cable television questions to your carriers and not the PD or FD. The only exception would be emergencies relating to downed wires that may be conducting power and endanger residents or their property.