New unit seeks to speed Chelsea residents’ return home after fires

The Chelsea Fire Department has created a new unit that seeks to reduce the trauma of residents displaced by a fire or emergency and return them to their homes as quickly as possible.

Working under the department’s Fire Prevention Division, the Resident Assistance Unit, launched in March, looks to streamline the post-emergency recovery and repair process for property owners and residents, while improving community safety and building relationships with residents.

Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez said the unit reflects Chelsea’s desire to provide a more holistic response to fires and other incidents. The new unit has formalized the city’s post-incident response to help “people stay rooted in their community even in difficult times.”

Maltez said that leaders who want to create stronger and more equitable communities need to move beyond reaction and build systems of care.

“Chelsea has always been a resilient city,” Maltez said. “But over the past few years — including last year with 13 [multiple-alarm] working fires in Chelsea — we’ve faced challenges that made it clear [that] we needed a more coordinated, compassionate response to emergencies that impact our residents’ housing and stability.”

Fire Chief John Quatieri said recent fire activity — a total of 38 fires in the past year — has highlighted the need for more coordinated services.

Quatieri said the community has been offering a range of support for residents in crisis, including services from the Chelsea Emergency Management Department and collaboration with local nonprofits, to arrange for emergency housing and to cover other immediate needs. But he would notice gaps in communication, and a lack of centralized coordination to track all the people and tasks involved in getting properties repaired and brought up to code, inspected and opened back up for occupancy.

“It seemed to happen after every fire,” Quatieri said. “There was a gap — who owns the building, or where were the residents moved to? Did they end up staying with relatives, or did we put them in a hotel? When can they go back? How can they go back? Who will let them? There were just so many questions.”

The new unit applies a case-management approach to post-incident recovery to ensure that all stakeholders connected to the property and in city government are on the same page. While its primary focus is on fires, the unit can also help out in other emergencies, such as water leaks and malfunctioning sprinklers, Quatieri said.

Lt. Nicholas Quatieri (the chief’s son) and firefighter Felix Vega work in the new unit. After each incident, they will complete a report with information on the property owners and residents, and the inspectors involved. Working with the city’s Inspectional Services Department to inspect the property, they will report on the status of various utilities, create a damage summary, and assist with temporary housing needs.

The unit will also track residents’ special needs, such as medications or diapers and formula for babies. Copies of the reports will go to property owners and city officials, including members of a task force that focuses on problem properties.

Chief Quatieri said the unit engaged in its first incident on April 11, after a small, third-floor apartment fire. The emergency management director helped secure temporary housing, and the unit worked with the property owner to identify necessary repairs and cleaning. The resident returned to his apartment three days later.

“I think this is going to be a really good thing for our community,” Quatieri said. “We’re hoping that this kind of just helps build some relationships with residents and shows that we’re there to help even after the fire or emergency is over.”