Valor marches in for 33rd Firefighter of the Year awards at Mechanics Hall
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WORCESTER — Bravery in the line of duty took center stage Friday at Mechanics Hall for the 33rd Annual Firefighter of the Year awards ceremony.
Firefighters from Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Hopkinton, and Natick were among those honored.
Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and state Public Safety Secretary Terrence M. Reidy joined State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey to honor firefighters from across the state.
“Even by the high standards we see in the fire service every day, certain actions truly rise above and beyond the call of duty,” said Polito. “The Firefighter of the Year awards recognize those heroes among us who rush to help whenever that bell rings. On duty or off, they’re the ones we can always count on to risk everything so that others might live.”
Among the Central Massachusetts honorees this year were members of the Berlin and Bolton fire departments, which received the Citation for Meritorious Conduct during the ceremony. Both departments responded to a crash on Interstate 495 and rescued two people from a submerged vehicle.
From Berlin: Capt. Anthony Alessi; Lt. Jonathan Paulino; Firefighter Frank Brewer; and Firefighter/EMT Michelle Deveau.
From Bolton: Fire Chief/Paramedic Jeffrey Legendre; Captain Peter Casello; Firefighter/EMT Gregory Childs; Firefighter/Paramedic Shayne Cook; Firefighter/EMT Wesley “Chip” Durant III; Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy O’Connell; and Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Roach.
Ashby Deputy Chief James Joseph received an Individual Citation for Meritorious Conduct.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester firefighters honored
