CJM Students Examine Burnat Mill Fire Business Loss

(L to R): Sgt. Bill Keefe (Webster); Sgt. Pete Emerick (Uxbridge); Chief Tim Bent (Webster); Chief Steve Wojnar (Dudley); Nichols Criminal Justice Management Program Chair, Professor Stephen Saravara; Chief Security Officer of Commerce Insurance, Bill Prout ; Nichols CJM senior Denisse Brea

When he directed the Town of Uxbridge's emergency response to the 10-alarm Burnat Mill fire erupting in the early morning of July 21st, 2007, "I had to use every ounce of my training," Sgt. Peter Emerick told Nichols criminal justice management seniors at a dinner in the Auditorium Feb. 29th.

Approximately 300 firefighters from 66 communities battled the blaze for two weeks which completely devastated the complex of 65 small businesses, 40% who were uninsured. 300-500 people lost their livelihoods.

Emerick's biggest headache was getting enough water to fight the blaze; there were only six inches of reserve in the Town's community tank. "We finally had to draft water out of the Blackstone River." He also told Nichols students the importance of contingency planning and looking at regional assets when needing additional resources.

Dealing with disaster victims was particularly overwhelming at times, Emerick said, but "personally rewarding." On day two, he organized a meeting at Uxbridge's Town Hall to answer the small business owner's questions. "In the beginning of the meeting, it was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. And then someone started to cry."