Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative Launches Website

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has announced the launch of a new website containing comprehensive information on how to access the Berkshire area COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

The new site, www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org, was developed to provide a consolidated resource with information about the COVID-19 vaccines, to provide resources on the state's Vaccination Phases and vaccine availability, and to aid the public in making appointments at the three large mass vaccination clinic sites in the Berkshires.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has established vaccination sites in Pittsfield at the Berkshire Community College Field House, in Great Barrington at the WEB Du Bois Middle School and in North Adams at St. Elizabeth of Hungary's Parish Center. Vaccine clinics are now scheduled for early February to begin vaccinations for the first part of Phase 2, which includes anyone aged 75 and older.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative estimates that there are approximately 18,000 Berkshire residents who are 75 and older, and based on the current distribution of vaccine by the State of Massachusetts, it is likely to take several weeks before completion of Phase 2-A. Clinics will be held weekly based on availability of the vaccine from the Commonwealth.

The website will be updated regularly as more clinics are scheduled throughout February and the coming months and as the state continues to move through Phase 2 and into Phase 3, which is estimated to run through the remainder of winter and into the spring.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative is a partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health Programs, the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association and public health nurses.

The website is www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org.

 


Tags: BHS,   CHP,   COVID-19,   


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Pittsfield Firefighters Respond To Gas Leak

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield firefighters safely discharged a 1000-gallon underground propane tank that was breached presenting an immediate safety and environmental hazard.
 
On Thursday, June 25  at 2:52pm, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 41 Shaker Lane for a reported gas leak. 
Upon arrival firefighters found workers had sheared off the fill, service, and safety valves to a 1000-gallon underground propane tank. The vessel was estimated to be 60 percent full at the time of the breach.
 
A breached underground propane tank is a serious safety and environmental hazard. Immediate action is required to protect people, property, and the environment. Propane is highly flammable and can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations or exposed to fire, making proper handling and storage essential. It exists as a gas in standard conditions but was in a refrigerated liquified state at the time of this incident.
 
Fire personnel ensured immediate evacuation of the property and together with Eversource, secured power to 41 Shaker and adjoining properties. A Tier 1 Hazardous Materials response was initiated, resulting in (5) technicians arriving and providing assistance with mitigation and area air monitoring with portable gas indicators. Industry experts from Lipton Energy arrived and provided technical support. Pittsfield PD assisted with traffic/pedestrian control and maintaining a safe operating perimeter.
 
Ultimately, due to the nature of the rupture it was impossible to safely offload the product. Engines 1 and 3 stayed on scene and assisted in dissipating the product into air via forced water injection. Water is forced into the tank at higher pressure than the tank’s static pressure. Because water is denser, it sinks below the liquid propane and displaces it, slowly and safely releasing it into the atmosphere. Water injection into the tank is a slow, methodical process that enables the refrigerated propane to escape without a dangerous level of vapor buildup.
 
Personnel remained on scene for four hours. The were no civilian or responder injuries associated with this incident.
 
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