Dartmouth, New Bedford, Cape Cod, Worcester, Springfield firefighters among those receiving Firefighter of the Year Awards; here’s why

WORCESTER — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Secretary of Public Safety & Security Terrence Reidy, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine recognized outstanding acts of bravery, heroism and service Monday at the 35^th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony.

“Over the past several weeks, Massachusetts residents have seen firefighters heroically working to protect their communities from an unprecedented wildfire season,” said Governor Healey. “But the truth is that our firefighters demonstrate brave action, selfless compassion and deep commitment to their cities and towns every single day. The Firefighter of the Year Awards are a way to celebrate the heroes who never hesitate to answer a call for help.” 

“The powerful stories behind these awards remind us of the danger that Massachusetts firefighters encounter every time they go to work,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “No matter what new challenge or unexpected hazard arises, they are always there to help. We know the sacrifices they and their loved ones make to perform this difficult, dangerous work, and we are deeply grateful.”

“The Firefighter of the Year Awards honor the extraordinary bravery and dedication of our firefighters, who protect and serve Massachusetts communities with unmatched skill and selflessness,” said Secretary Reidy. “These honorees exemplify the courage and professionalism that define the fire service. On behalf of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, I extend heartfelt gratitude to these heroes and their families for their remarkable service and sacrifice.” 

“Being a firefighter isn’t just a job – it’s a calling,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “It takes us to classrooms and senior centers. It puts us on ladders, ropes, hose lines, and rescue boats. The dozens of scenarios behind this year’s awards reflect the depth and variety of the fire service mission. And the recipients all reflect extraordinary courage and determination to serve others regardless of the danger to themselves.”

This year’s awards were presented to 139 firefighters from 22 communities across Massachusetts. They reflect individual, group, and off-duty responses at two dozen emergency scenes and included four individual citations for meritorious conduct, 18 group citations, and 15 Medals of Valor. Three firefighters were recognized for outstanding community service, and one was honored for a 35-year career in fire prevention, protection, and education.   

Here is the Dartmouth Fire Department incident that resulted in their honor:

Dartmouth Fire District 1 Marine 1 responded to a capsized sailboat on October 8th, 2023 with 2 persons in the water off the coast of Gooseberry Island.

While Marine 1 was enroute, District 2 provided shore support with eyes on the boat.

Upon arrival, one party was discovered hanging on to the capsized boat, however, the second party was adrift and unable to be located within the vicinity of the vessel.

Marine 1 immediately rescued the first victim from the boat and began a search of the area. Calculating wind speed, drift and tide, they were able to recover the second victim a short time later a quarter of a mile away.

Both parties were transported to Padanaram Harbor where they were given a medical evaluation and released.

The Dartmouth Fire Department stated that if it were not for the crew on board Marine 1 displaying skillful seamanship and determination fighting heavy seas and strong winds, this would have ended much worse.

Here is the New Bedford Fire Department incident that resulted in their honor:

Acting Lt. Brandon Medeiros and Firefighter Steven Holzer were among the first arriving responders on Engine Company 6 to a structure fire at 30 Welcome St. around 4 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2023. Flames and smoke shot out of third-floor windows of the three-family tenement. With several residents having escaped and watching outside, Act. Lt. Medeiros and Firefighter Holzer were performing an inital size-up of the building when they observed a disabled male trying to exit the building from the rear stairwell, and immediately ran over and carried the man to safety.

Once they carried the man out of harm’s way and into the care of paramedics from New Bedford Emergency Medical Services, they reentered the building with a fire attack hose line to help extinguish the fire. The man was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, recovered and was released.

“These two firefighters are great examples of the best of the New Bedford Fire Department,” Chief Scott Kruger said. “They put their lives on the line by going into a dangerous building to carry a disabled man out of harm’s way to safety. I couldn’t be more proud of these two amazing members of the Fire Department.”

This year’s award recipients were:

Amesbury Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter/Paramedic Justin Kane
• Firefighter/Paramedic Carl Rizzo

Attleboro Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Captain Scott Godin
• Captain Steven Stellakis
• Firefighter Ryan Bielawa
• Firefighter Jessie Lee
• Firefighter Nicholas Mangonello
• Firefighter Jason Mayer
• Firefighter Brian Sweeney

Barnstable Fire Department

Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service

• Captain Brian Tyson

Brockton Fire Department

Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Joseph Hanley 

Brockton Fire Department

Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Helio Lima

Brockton Fire Department

Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award

• Deputy Chief Edward Williams

Chicopee Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Deputy Chief Peter Jerusik
• Lieutenant Joshua Provost
• Lieutenant Matthew Zabik
• Firefighter Nathan Carvalho
• Firefighter Steven Laurin
• Firefighter Laura Rousseau
• Firefighter Benjamin Souza
• Firefighter Patrick Strepka

Cotuit Fire Department

Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service

• Firefighter/Paramedic Christian Gardiner
• Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Lee

Dartmouth Fire District 1

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Asst. Chief Timothy Lancaster
• Captain Ryan Cabral
• Captain Jeffrey Costa
• Lieutenant Joshua Ferreira
• Lieutenant Skott Gerald Rebello

Falmouth Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Chief Timothy Smith
• Deputy Chief Scott Thrasher
• Deputy Chief Chad  Absten
• Captain Ryan Gavin
• Lieutenant Christopher Brown
• Lieutenant Jeffry Waggett
• Lieutenant Benjamin Wellington
• Firefighter Nathan Desrochers
• Firefighter Jake Hanafin
• Firefighter Randy Koslowsky
• Firefighter Barry Lima, Jr.
• Firefighter Daniel Lopes, Jr.
• Firefighter Christopher McEntee
• Firefighter Jeffrey Meau
• Firefighter Stephanie Melanson
• Firefighter Dallas O’Brien
• Firefighter Mackenzie Wyman
• Firefighter Nicholas Zimmerman

Medal of Valor

• Lieutenant Timothy Bailey
• Firefighter Damian Boyar
• Firefighter Casey Reed

Hyannis Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Theodore Duchesney
• Firefighter Andrew Hennessy
• Firefighter/Paramedic Brendan Macdonald

Hyannis Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Chester Coggeshall
• Firefighter Jeffrey Erving

Lawrence Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Joseph Murphy
• Firefighter Gabriel Fraval
• Firefighter Patrick Sweeney

Lowell Fire Department

Medal of Valor

• Lieutenant Daniel Eaton
• Firefighter Pannel Davis
• Firefighter Michael Santos

New Bedford Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Acting Lieutenant Brandon Medeiros
• Firefighter Steven Holzer

Newton Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Captain Karl “Gus” Svartstrom
• Lieutenant Joseph DeLuca
• Firefighter Richard Busa
• Firefighter Ryan Doherty
• Firefighter Michael Pohlman
• Firefighter Lawrence Quinn
• Firefighter Andrew Sbordone
• Firefighter Joseph Yerardi

North Attleboro Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Asst. Fire Chief/Paramedic George McKinnon
• Superintendent/Paramedic James Kern
• Lieutenant/Paramedic Shawn Brillon
• Lieutenant/Paramedic Diego Dasilva
• Lieutenant/EMT Curt Chretien
• Firefighter/EMT Cameron Cornetta
• Firefighter/Paramedic Aaron Braga
• Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Schafer
• Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Smith 

Orange Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Acting Captain Timothy Matthews
• Lieutenant Phillip Dupell
• Lieutenant/EMT Jason Rushford
• Firefighter/Paramedic Nino Rodriguez

Medal of Valor

• Captain Timothy Matthews

Plymouth Fire Department

Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Joshua Daubert

Salisbury Fire Department

Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Chief Scott Carrigan
• Lieutenant Daniel Souliotis
• Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Nichols
• Firefighter Christopher Stiles

Springfield Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Captain Angel Caquias
• Lieutenant Craig Fallon
• Lieutenant William LaPalm
• Firefighter Anthony Basile
• Firefighter Melquan Bland
• Firefighter Luis Cruz
• Firefighter Dominic Grilli
• Firefighter Raushaun James
• Firefighter Korry Laboy
• Firefighter Jason McClendon
• Firefighter Christian Ramos
• Firefighter Eric Xavier Smith

Westborough Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Christopher Dubois
• Firefighter Sean Doherty
• Firefighter David Dutton
• Firefighter Patrick Sheridan
• Firefighter Chris Weinwurm

Whitman Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Zachary Baldwin
• Firefighter Russell Lucas
• Firefighter/Paramedic Jerry Thompson
• Firefighter/Paramedic Justin Everson
• Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Lasko

Woburn Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Robert Gerety
• Firefighter Shawn Courtney
• Firefighter Douglas Masse

Worcester Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Matthew Kane
• Lieutenant John Ushinski

Worcester Fire Department

Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Firefighter Ryan Magee

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Patrick Chviruk
• Lieutenant Matthew Johnson
• Temp. Lieutenant Brian O’Connor
• Firefighter Michael Berube
• Firefighter Timothy Brotherton
• Firefighter Patrick Flibbert
• Firefighter Matthew Foley
• Firefighter Timothy Fontaine
• Firefighter Dana Ford
• Firefighter Edwin Paulino
• Firefighter Andrejs Sterns

Worcester Fire Department

Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct

• Lieutenant Patrick Loughnane
• Firefighter Jeremy Horan
• Firefighter Justin Pike
• Firefighter Jordan Rutherford

Medal of Valor

• Captain Jessie Verdolino
• Lieutenant Patrick Moran
• Firefighter David Brotherton
• Firefighter Steven Brotherton
• Firefighter Giuliano Conte
• Firefighter Kyle Green
• Firefighter Sean Murphy
• Firefighter Daniel Roy

Since their inception in 1990, the Firefighter of the Year Awards have grown from a simple ceremony to the premier annual event for the Massachusetts fire service, honoring the Commonwealth’s firefighters and recognizing their invaluable contributions to all our communities.