We paid a visit Monday to Natick’s 9/11 memorial in front of the Police and Fire stations on E. Central Street to reflect on the 2001 terrorist attack on the United States.
Natick firefighter among academy grads
Feldano Francois of the Natick Fire Department was among 22 firefighters to graduate earlier this month from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program.
Other graduating firefighters represented the fire departments of Bourne, Canton, Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills, Concord, Fairhaven, Hopkinton, Plainville, Revere, Rockland, Somerset, Westborough, and Yarmouth.
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. F




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Crowdfunding campaign aids Natick family after fire
Friends, family, and other members of the community are contributing to an online crowdfunding campaign to support the Tortola family of Natick after their home in the Wethersfield area was destroyed by fire earlier this month. Fortunately, family members were physically unharmed, though their personal belongings and long-time on-site daycare facility were destroyed.
The fundraising site includes this poignant anecdote: “After learning that the house was deemed uninhabitable, not surprisingly her first concern was for her daycare families and her ‘kids’. As a top priority, she immediately sprang into action trying to identify alternative care to minimize disruption as she looks for a temporary location.”
Funds raised will address the family’s short-term needs, loss of income, and expenses that insurance won’t cover as they start to rebuild.




Dive team recovers victim in Natick after canoe overturns
Natick first responders and partner organizations responded early Saturday night to an incident on the Lake Cochituate sub-basin dubbed Fisk Pond, where an overturned canoe left one occupant swimming safely to shore but another dead.
The body of the man, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, was discovered around 10:30pm using sonar.
The District 14 Dive Team, State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police joined Natick police and fire on the scene at the south pond near the dog park on Rte. 135. What began as a rescue mission turned to a recovery operation.
Those who were on the water Saturday said that while the weather was beautiful, water was choppy.




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Fire on Pond Street in Natick damages antique farmhouse, no injuries
The Natick Fire Department responded to calls made shortly before 1am on Tuesday, Feb. 7, about a structure fire in the attached barn of an antique farmhouse on Pond Street. Crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the second floor of the barn. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the barn and keep it out of the attached house. The occupants were alerted to the fire by working smoke alarms. Two residents are temporarily displaced, and there were no injuries.








A total of three alarms were transmitted for additional help. In an email to Natick Report, Natick Fire Chief Jason Ferschke thanked mutual aid partners Framingham Fire and Wellesley Fire, which responded to the scene; Weston and Wayland Fire, which covered the Natick stations; and Cataldo EMS, which provided EMS coverage.
The fire is under investigation by members of the District 14 Fire Investigation Team and the Natick Police Department.
Chief Ferschke said the fire does not appear suspicious in nature.
A neighbor said in an email that the residents of the affected property have spent years renovating and restoring the home.
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