Fall River Fire and Police Departments take home awards including EMT of the Year

Members of the Fall River Fire and Police Departments have earned some well-deserved recognition today.

Two members of the FRFD and one from FRPD have been recognized by the Greater Fall River/New Bedford EMS Committee at their yearly conference.

According to a department official, Fire Chief John Lynch received the EMS Impact Award for his support of EMS and his work in getting FRFD to the forefront on many aspects of Fire-Based EMS. FRFD instituted a squad truck that brings a paramedic and a Firefighter/EMTB to every scene. FRFD now has over 85 firefighters who are EMT Basic. Pre-Hospital care has also dramatically improved due to these initiatives.

Captain Neil Furtado was honored with the EMT of the Year Award for his support of the EMS program and all of the work he has done with outreach in the community. Furtado jumped into action several times at the scene of an accident prior to the arrival of resources. Furtado has also very privately reached out to victims after their emergency to make sure they are equipped with what they need to recover.

Patrolman Brandon Wixon was recognized for First Responder of the Year. Wixon was first on scene at the fatal shooting at JC’s Cafe and tied multiple tourniquets on scene in efforts to save several victim’s lives.

The awards ceremony took place at White’s of Westport.

The group consists of many hospitals, fire, police, and EMS from Mattapoisett to Swansea.