FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 603-471-3154
Email: john@jgpr.net

Rochester Fire Department Provides Update Following Severe Storm

ROCHESTER — Chief Mark Klose and the Rochester Fire Department wish to provide the following updates in the wake of the serious storm that impacted the area Sunday night. 

Residents Should Use Caution With Generators 

As utility crews work to restore power citywide, residents who remain without power are asked to exercise extreme caution when using generators to power their homes.

Generators should only be used outdoors and should be placed in a location far away from fresh air intake vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning inside homes.  Residents should also ensure that they have functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes, and that those devices can function during power outages.

Residents are also strongly urged to avoid contact with any downed power lines, and to notify the fire department if they encounter any power lines that appear dangerous.

Firefighters Answer Dozens of Calls

As the storm brought heavy wind and rain into Rochester, the Rochester Fire Department immediately activated its Local Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts.

In the hours after the storm, Rochester Firefighters responded to approximately 60 calls for assistance including four calls for trees that had fallen onto homes. Each of the homes were damaged but remained habitable, and there were no injuries to residents or firefighters as a result of the storm.

“Other emergencies don’t stop just because there’s a storm going on, but everyone really stepped up and got the job done,” Chief Klose said. “It was a very well-coordinated effort by the police, firefighters and EMS workers, and I appreciate their constant commitment to keeping the City of Rochester safe.”

Portions of Rochester Remain Without Power

The Rochester Fire Department is awaiting an update on the status of repair work to utilities, which remains ongoing. If power outages persist, the department will re-evaluate the situation and determine whether or not there is a need to open warming stations.

###