The fire and police chiefs of Fairhaven and Acushnet wear masks and maintain social distancing while posing with two 55-gallon drums of hand sanitizer that was donated to Acushnet, which then gave one barrel to Fairhaven, since both towns have a close mutual aid relationship. L-R: Fairhaven police chief Michael Myers, Acushnet police chief Christopher Richmond, Acushnet fire chief Kevin Gallagher, Fairhaven fire chief Timothy Francis. Photo submitted by Acushnet Fire & EMS.
Press Release
The Acushnet public safety departments received a significant donation and promptly paid it forward!
The town received two barrels containing fifty-five gallons of hand sanitizer each. The much needed hand sanitizer will be used by Acushnet’s Fire, Police and Public Works departments.
Acushnet resident and former member of the Board of Selectmen, David Wojnar was made aware of donations of hand sanitizer being made by his professional associates to public safety agencies including the New York City Police and Fire Departments. Mr. Wojnar contacted Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher to inquire about Acushnet departments’ inventory and learned that it was running low.
Mr. Wojnar made arrangements with Ms. Tara Engle of the liquor company Pernod Ricard USA to have the barrels shipped to Acushnet free of charge. The hand sanitizer was made at Pernod Ricard distilleries across the country.
“Distilleries like Pernod Ricard are stepping up and making hand sanitizer. I am really thankful that Pernod Ricard shared with us some of their supply. It is a real nice gesture and will go a long way in our small town,” said Mr. Wojnar.
After consulting with Acushnet Police Chief Christopher Richmond, it was decided that Acushnet would share this donation with the public safety departments of Fairhaven.
“Fairhaven is our primary mutual aid partner and we are theirs,” stated Chief Gallagher. “We are in a position to help them out during a time of need. We are simply paying it forward.”
“This donation will make certain that our first responders have enough hand sanitizer to meet both our short and long term needs,” said Acushnet Police Chief Christopher Richmond. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
The Fairhaven Fire-EMS acknowledged the gift on both its Twitter and Facebook accounts.
“The members and administration of Fairhaven Fire/EMS would like to acknowledge the generosity of the Town of Acushnet for their recent delivery of 55 gallons of sanitizing liquid. This much-needed supply of sanitizer will help keep our first-responders safe and healthy for a long period of time,” reads the Facebook post. “We appreciate your consideration and the partnership that we have created over the years. We would like to thank the Town of Acushnet, Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher, Police Chief Christopher Richmond, former Select-board member David Wojnar, and Pernod Ricard USA for this donation.”
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