“FALL RIVER, NEW BEDFORD, and WAREHAM, Mass. – On April 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized Southcoast Health for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations and improving resilience in the face of climate change.

As part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), HHS shared that Southcoast Health was one of more than 130 organizations that joined the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, committing to align with the Biden administration’s goal of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“We are so proud to be a part of this initiative, and being one of the initial organizations to sign the pledge two years ago was a natural step,” said Phil Oliveira, Vice President Supply Chain Strategy & Logistics and Executive-level Sustainability Lead at Southcoast Health. “For years, many of our efforts have been focused on reducing our environmental impact. Now that 2030 is only six years away, we are excited for the challenge to achieve our 50 percent carbon emission reduction pledge.”

Since making this commitment, Southcoast Health is focusing on leading this conversation across the industry. By assessing the health system’s emissions data, collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), and other healthcare systems, strategic sourcing partners and the community, their goal is to enable bigger thinking and inspire action towards a lower carbon footprint.

South Coast Health photo.</center? A September 2021 consensus statement from more than 200 medical journals named climate change the number one threat to global public health. It exposes millions of people in the United States to harm every year—with disproportionate impacts on communities that are often already the victims of longstanding discrimination—through increases in extreme heat waves, wildfires, flooding, vector-borne diseases and other factors that worsen chronic health conditions. The healthcare sector also contributes to climate change itself, accounting for approximately 8.5 percent of U.S. domestic emissions. In 2023, Southcoast Health quantified their emissions at 19,304 tons CO2e, a 15 percent reduction from their 2011 peak emissions of 22,761 tons CO2e. Earlier this spring, Southcoast Health was recognized by OCCHE for their leadership in this area and Nicole Rosa, Director of Sustainability, Supply Chain Logistics and Program Management at Southcoast Health was asked to present as a mentor at the at the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Catalytic Program’s break out session on March 14, 2024. Presenting at the event, she shared her experience evaluating projects against the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and expressed how the HHS pledge closely aligns with Southcoast Health’s mission and values. “Signing the climate pledge made so much sense for us,” she said. “We were already environmentally conscious, and felt it was a natural extension of our existing efforts. Our vision is to expand our partnerships with other organizations to limit the harm of climate change in our neighborhoods as well as the broader healthcare industry.” The HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, developed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge to help focus industry response to climate challenges. To date, 139 prominent health companies in the U.S. have signed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge, including organizations representing 943 hospitals as well as leading health centers, suppliers, insurance companies, group purchasing organizations, pharmaceutical companies and more. Combined, this means that more than 1,180 federal and private sector hospitals have made such commitments, together representing more than 15 percent of U.S. hospitals. To learn more about Southcoast Health’s journey to a sustainable future visit www.southcoast.org/southcoast-health-sustainable-future/."-South Coast Health.

“On April 28, 2024, at 1:00 PM there will be a Memorial Service of the 80th Anniversary of Exercise Tiger by the City of New Bedford. The Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum is a Co-Sponsor with the City. As President of the FT~FR Military Museum I am inviting everyone to attend.

The City of New Bedford Veterans’ Advisory Board will honor the 749 United States sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the devastating April 28, 1944 attack on the United States military training operation, Exercise Tiger.

Exercise Tiger was a D-Day dry run that was ambushed by a German E-boat flotilla and resulted in America’s costliest incident of World War II, second only to Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack sank two American vessels and severely damaged a third. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Exercise Tiger.

The location is across the street from the FT~FR Military Museum, at 1000C Rodney French Blvd. New Bedford.

The Museum will be opening at 10:00 AM. After the service, the FT~FR Military Museum is inviting everyone to attend. The unveiling of the new Exercise Tiger exhibit and the 212th Field Artillery Mural at the FT~FR Military Museum.

Thank you,
Bill Niedzwiedz
President
Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Assoc. Inc.”

Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Assoc. Inc. photo.

“During the month of April, the 55th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory PVT Walter Goulart of New Bedford who was Killed in Action on October 17, 1918, during the opening of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, just one month before the end of the war.

Goulart was born in New Bedford to Azorean immigrants Antone and Frances (Perry) Goulart on February 1, 1895. He lived at 142 Fair Street and attended local New Bedford schools, later working in the New Bedford mills.

Some sources say that Goulart was inducted into the Army while others say he enlisted on September 20, 1917 at the age of 22. Goulart was first stationed at Fort Devens, MA and went on to receive his infantry training at Fort Gordon, GA. He was initially assigned to Company D of the 302nd Infantry, 76th Division until November 12, 1917 and was then transferred to the Machine Gun Company of the 327th Infantry, 82nd Division.

Empire Ford photo.

On April 29, 1918, PVT Goulart was sent overseas to France. He served in a series of battles with the Allied Forces including the following engagements: St. Mihiel; Marbache Defensive Sector (Lorraine) Aug. 6 – Aug. 17; Lucey Defensive Sector (Lorraine) Aug. 28 to Sept. 11, Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

According to a story published in the SouthCoastToday.com, “A German sniper shot and killed Goulart on Oct. 7, 19l8 near Châtel Chéhéry. He died in an important battle in the opening phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of World War I’s final campaigns. The 327th Infantry was trying to retake the initiative after having slowed down in the face of strong German resistance. It took over the entire sector two days after he died.” Sadly, Goulart died only a month before the end of the war.

According to Archives.gov, “The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest operation of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I, with over a million American soldiers participating. It was also the deadliest campaign in American history, resulting in over 26,000 soldiers being killed in action (KIA) and over 120,000 total casualties.”

Walter Goulart became the first New Bedford serviceman of Portuguese descent to be killed in action during World War I. The article stated that other soldiers of Azorean descent had died earlier than he did, but they had died of disease while still in training camps.

Following Goulart’s death, the Portuguese-American community in New Bedford built a memorial in his honor named Goulart Square, located at Rivet and Bolton Streets. The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day on May 30, 1923 and then re-dedicated on May 26, 1997.

PVT Goulart was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice to his country.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@empirefordinc.com.”

“New Bedford, MA – Around Earth Day, and every day, it is important to properly handle hazardous products. If you cannot use these products for their intended purpose, or give them to someone who can, take them to Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day on Saturday, May 4, 2024. It is from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Boulevard, New Bedford. Proof of residency in New Bedford, Dartmouth, or Freetown is required.

Sign up to participate. Visit gnbrrmdistrict.org to select a time slot. Please arrive as close to your selected time slot as possible. If you do not have internet access, call (508) 979-1493 to sign up.

• Examples of accepted waste include oil-based paints, paint thinner, pesticides, and old gasoline.

• Do not bring latex paint (if you cannot give it away, dry it out and place it in the regular trash).

• Do not bring anything that is accepted at your transfer station including: antifreeze, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury containing devices, motor oil, propane (or other) tanks or cylinders, TVs, or computer monitors.

• The maximum amount of household hazardous waste you can bring is 25 gallons or 25 pounds. Collection is for households only. No businesses, schools, or contractors.

This event takes place at the Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Boulevard, New Bedford. Please note, traffic flows in one direction at this event. The only way to enter is through the New Bedford Business Park. GPS may suggest a different route, but if you try that, you will have to turn around and enter through the New Bedford Business Park.

For more information, contact the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org or by phone at (508) 979-1493.”

“NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Community members, providers, nurses and staff gathered at St. Luke’s Hospital this morning for New England Donor Services and Southcoast Health’s annual flag-raising ceremony in recognition of Donate Life Month.

Celebrated every April since 2003, Donate Life Month is a time to recognize the recipients of organ and tissue donation. This month also brings an increase in awareness about becoming a donor and the opportunity to give someone in need of a transplant a second chance at life.

For the second year, Southcoast Health was honored to have the family of Sam Ellis – his mother and Southcoast Employee Cheryl Ellis, his sister Sophia-Lynn Bechard, Derek Bechard and Barbara Sullivan – present at the flag raising to share the story of Sam’s organ donation, after passing away due to a motor vehicle accident three years ago.

Southcoast Health photo.

“Donate Life Month is a time to honor and remember those who gave a life-saving donation to someone in need of an organ or tissue transplant – and to inspire others to make the decision to register to donate,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “On behalf of everyone here at Southcoast Health, I want to express how deeply grateful we are for our community partners, providers, nurses and staff who make this possible. I especially want to thank Sophia-Lynn for sharing her family’s story. This is the single best way to shine a light on the impact and importance of organ donation.”

In 2023, 21 donors across Southcoast Health made 63 organ and 35 tissue transplants possible. So far, in 2024, 6 lifesaving donors have given 16 organ transplants and 16 tissue donations, officials said.

“I’m proud to be part of such a giving and compassionate community that supports the importance of organ donation. I want to express my gratitude to all organ donors and their families for their generosity and courage in making the decision to donate – even in the midst of loss and grief,” said Tonya Johnson, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Southcoast Hospitals Group at the event.

All three Southcoast Health Hospitals, Charlton Memorial, St. Luke’s and Tobey, work in collaboration with New England Donor Services, the area’s local designated organ procurement organization, to provide lifesaving donations to individuals in need of an organ or tissue transplant.

Dr. Charles Strom, Senior Director, Organ Surgical Services at New England Donor Services (NEDS), also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the collaboration between Southcoast Heath and NEDS to help make organ donation possible in the South Coast region.

According to the New England Donor Services, there are currently more than 115,000 men, women and children in the United States waiting for a potentially life-saving transplant. More than 5,000 of these individuals live in the New England region.

Recognizing this cause year-round, Southcoast Heath hospitals fly the New England Donor Services Flag on the last day of each month where an organ donation has occurred to honor the person who gave a second chance at life to others.

You can register to be an organ and tissue donor through the National Donate Life Registry or at the RMV when you renew your license.”

“Fishers, sometimes called “fisher cats” are one of our most misunderstood creatures. Because they are rarely seen, many people don’t know much about them, which has led to some misconceptions about their behavior.

Can you separate facts from fiction?

Learn why they are called fishers, why they are important to our ecosystem, and listen to audio of critters who make strange sounds at night: bit.ly/fishers-fact-fiction.”-Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

Christina Radcliffe photo.

Christina Radcliffe photo.

Christina Radcliffe photo.

Christina Radcliffe photo.

Standard Nationwide Method Recorded About 20 Per Year.

“STOW—The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ new tool for tracking lithium-ion battery fires has helped to identify 50 such incidents in the past six months, more than double the annual average detected by a national fire data reporting system, said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Department of Fire Services launched its Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Investigative Checklist on Oct. 13, 2023. It immediately went into use by the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and local fire departments were urged to adopt it as well. Developed by the DFS Fire Safety Division, the checklist can be used by fire investigators to gather basic information about fires in which lithium-ion batteries played a part. That information is then entered into a database to identify patterns and trends.

“We knew anecdotally that lithium-ion batteries were involved in more fires than the existing data suggested,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “In just the past six months, investigators using this simple checklist have revealed many more incidents than we’ve seen in prior years.”

Prior to the checklist, the state’s fire service relied on battery fire data reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS), a state-level tool that mirrors and feeds into the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). NFIRS tracks battery fires but does not specifically gather data on the types of batteries involved. Some fields do not require the detailed information that Massachusetts officials were seeking, and some fires may be coded according to the type of device involved rather than the type of battery. Moreover, MFIRS reports sometimes take weeks or months to be completed and uploaded.

“Investigators using the Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Checklist are getting us better data faster,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The tool is helpful, but the people using it are the key to its success.”

From 2019 to 2023, an average of 19.4 lithium-ion battery fires per year were reported to MFIRS – less than half the number identified by investigators using the checklist over the past six months. The increase since last fall could be due to the growing number of consumer devices powered by these batteries, increased attention by local fire investigators, or other factors, State Fire Marshal Davine said. For example, fires that started with another item but impinged upon a battery-powered device, causing it to go into thermal runaway, might not be categorized as a battery fire in MFIRS or NFIRS.

Lithium-ion battery fires were reported in 38 cities and towns. Nine of the fires involved micromobility devices such as battery-powered scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards, making them the most commonly involved in fires, according to the data. Eight fires involved laptops and another eight involved cell phones, tablets, or similar devices. Power tools were involved in six fires. The device’s charging status could be determined in 41 of the 50 fires: surprisingly, 56% of these devices were not charging at the time of the incident.

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from small devices like e-cigarettes and smartphones to scooters, e-bikes, and electric vehicles. If they are overcharged, overheated, or abused, they can fail rapidly and without warning. A lithium-ion battery that goes into thermal runaway will erupt in an explosion of toxic gases and flames that will ignite nearby furnishings. Water and traditional fire extinguishers are significantly less effective against lithium-ion battery fires.

State Fire Marshal Davine offered the following safety tips for preventing lithium-ion battery fires:

• Be sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home.
• Use only the original equipment manufacturer’s batteries and charging equipment. Aftermarket or generic batteries and chargers may be cheaper but are more likely to pose a burn, fire, or explosion hazard.
• Store scooters and e-bikes outdoors if possible. If you must store them indoors, keep them and their batteries clear of doors, windows, and stairways.
• Charge the battery directly from a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Place it on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow.
• Charge only one battery or device at a time and unplug it when it’s fully charged. Don’t allow a charged battery to continue charging.
• If you notice changes to the battery or the device, including damage, an unusual odor, a change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge, stop using it right away.
• If and when it’s time to dispose of the battery, don’t put it in the trash. Lithium-ion batteries should be recycled, and you can find a location to take them at https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/.

Residents can learn more about lithium-ion battery safety at the Department of Fire Services’ Lithium-Ion Battery Safety web page.”-Massachusetts Department of Fire Service.

“🛥𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞🛥

The City of New Bedford Police Department will be hosting a boating safety course with the assistance of the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

The course is open to all New Bedford residents and surrounding communities.

To register, please click here.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

“We are excited to announce a new FREE event – Clothing Repair Day✂️🧵🪡 on April 20th, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Buttonwood Park Zoo.

More details:

🧵 Up to 2 items can be mended per household. Possible repairs include mending zippers, replacing buttons, mending holes, and reversing shirt collars (for worn or stained collars).

🧵 New Bedford and Dartmouth residents only. Proof of residency is required.

🧵 Sign up is required. No walk-ins. To select a time slot, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAFA622A0FBC52-49049856-clothing.

🧵 Find us at the entrance of the Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn Street (no zoo admission needed).

Mending is being provided by the talented menders of Bushwood Tailors Opportunity Shop, Maypole Weavers and Duphily Designs. The event is sponsored by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District in partnership with the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, and Bushwood Tailors Opportunity Shop.”-New Bedford Recycling.

Urges New England Fishery Management Council to Open Northern Edge Scallop Grounds

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell testified before the New England Fishery Management Council Tuesday in Mystic, Conn., urging the board to open the Northern Edge scallop grounds to New Bedford commercial fishermen.

Prior to his public comments on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Mitchell submitted a letter to Chairman Eric Reid and the other members of the Council calling for the opening of the “key new source of scallops.”

“While there are multiple species that are harvested by New Bedford fishing vessels, scallops are the prime drivers of economic activity within the Port of New Bedford,” Mayor Mitchell wrote. “The fishermen of New Bedford know this, and they take great care in maintaining the resource and recognize the strategic long-term importance of managing the biomass.”

Read or download the letter Mayor Mitchell submitted to the NEFMC here.

NEFMC photo.