Pittsfield Firefighters Contain North St. Blaze

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 664/666 North St. for smoke showing from the same address. 
 
Engine 2 arrived and found fire showing from the exterior rear of the 2-1/2 story, wood frame, 4 family apartment building. E2 crew pulled a 1-3/4" handline and attacked the main body of fire.
 
The department's  response consisted of E3, E2, E5, Truck 2, and Car2. E1 responded to scene as a rapid intervention crew. While E2 extinguished all visible fire, E3 conducted a primary search of the building, E5 secured water supply, and T2 assisted with checking for fire extension.
 
The fire was extinguished and overhauled within an hour. Firefighters remained on scene until 12:15 am. 
 
There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Fire damage was limited to the exterior of the building and mild smoke damage to the first-floor unit of 664 North.
 
The Department's Fire Investigation Unit is investigating origin and cause. There are no damage estimates at the time. 
 
There were three units occupied and no occupants were displaced because of this fire.

Tags: structure fire,   

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program. 
 
Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.
 
Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked. 
 
In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.
 
"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said. 
 
Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.
 
While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment. 
 
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