Pittsfield Nets $135K Grant for N1H1 Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has received a $135,812 grant through the
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the state Department of Public Health for an H1N1 vaccination program.

Dr. Philip Adamo, chairman of the city's Board of Health, and Health Director James J. Wilusz said grant will be used to create a comprehensive, educational, and mitigation flu program and to offer the voluntary H1N1 vaccinations to priority groups within the city.

The Board of Health has been working collaboratively with community partners such as the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association, Berkshire County sheriff's department, Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Community College, the Pittsfield Public School System, and others in an effort to educate the public on the importance of safe and sanitary hygiene, to promote proper hand washing and to offer free vaccination clinics for the H1N1 once the vaccine arrives and preventative measures on what people can do to reduce the chances of contracting the H1N1 virus.

For more information on the H1N1 virus (also known as swine flu), contact the Health Department at 413-499-9411 or visit www.pittsfield.com.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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