Medfield Fire Department Collecting Supplies for Tornado Victims

The Medfield Fire Department and Medfield Permanent Fire Fighters Association in cooperation with Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts are collecting supplies for tornado victims in Western Massachusetts from now until June 9.

Residents in Medfield and surrounding towns are encouraged to drop off supplies for those in need at the Medfield Fire Station or your local fire station if it is participating in the relief effort.

Supplies being collected for victims:

• Water
• Blue Tarps
• Flashlights
•  Batteries
• Glow Sticks
• Bungee Cords
• Rope

All items will be collected and then distributed to residents in the 19 communities affected by last week's Tornadoes.

Representatives from the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, Teamsters Local 25 and the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District pledged to help victims from last week's devastating storms by spearheading a Labor Tornado Relief Effort aimed at collecting and distributing basic necessities to residents in need.

From today through Thursday, June 9th, Medfield and other Massachusetts residents across the state are urged to drop-off supplies to their local fire stations. 

“Firefighters from across the state have been on the ground in the western part of the state since Thursday helping with recovery efforts,” said Edward Kelly, president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. “It’s not often that a natural disaster hits so close to home, and our tornado relief effort is a way for everyone to help. We’re asking residents to take a moment in the next several days and stop by their local fire station with a donation.”

The tornado victims will not only be cleaning up and repairing property, they will be rebuilding their lives. 

“Long after the trees and debris have been cleared and the communities are once again operational, people will still be rebuilding their lives,” said Martin Walsh, treasurer of the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District. “This is one way that all Mass. residents can help their neighbors rebuild.”

“When disaster strikes, there is often little time to collect the bare minimum for survival,” said Sean O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25, whose trucks will drive the supplies to the affected areas.  “These supplies will hopefully provide a little bit of comfort to families who have already lost too much.”

The unions encourage members to notify family and friends about the tornado relief effort through Facebook, Twitter and text messages. Members will be asked to “repost” a simple message asking people to donate supplies to their local fire station by Thursday.

Collectively, the organizations represent more than 25,000 working men and women across the state and southern New Hampshire. Members include construction workers, firefighters, EMTs, truck drivers, warehouse and clerical workers.