News  State Officials Present the 30th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards

Worcester — Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and other state officials today joined State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey to honor Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy, who gave his life in the line of duty last year, along with firefighters from 14 Massachusetts fire departments who undertook heroic acts of bravery and public service during 2018.

The 30^th annual “Firefighter of the Year” Awards ceremony was held at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall today. WCVB’s Doug Meehan emceed the event.  Officials also recognized Worcester Fire Lieutenant Jason Menard, who died in the line of duty on Nov. 13 while fighting a house fire on Stockholm Street.

“The Commonwealth’s first responders put themselves in harm’s way each day, and these awards provide an opportunity to recognize their bravery and sacrifice. This year, our administration is proud to honor Christopher Roy, his family, and his legacy of heroism and sacrifice,” said Governor Baker. “Massachusetts cities and towns are safer places to live, work and raise a family because of the men and women like him, who selflessly answer the call knowing the danger that may await them.”

“It is our privilege to recognize the heroes who take such remarkable action to protect our communities, even at great cost to themselves,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “Our administration also wants to thank their families, who make sacrifices of their own as their loved ones keep us safe.”

The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Westborough Captain Daniel J. Hehir for his work on peer support and critical incident stress management.

"The wounds that first responders suffer are not always visible," said Secretary of Public Safety Thomas Turco. “Captain Daniel Hehir is working to help change the stigma of mental health. He works behind the scenes in often stressful situations to ensure that fire and police get the help they need after an incident so they can be ready for the next call."

The Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award was presented to the entire Andover, Lawrence and North Andover Fire Departments for their response to Merrimack Valley gas explosions and their role in the long recovery.

“The civilian and first responders on these three departments showed tremendous leadership, professionalism, and care for their communities during the first chaotic hours of the Merrimack Valley gas explosion and during the months of recovery,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Many were personally affected by the situation yet every day protected their fellow residents.”

The Medal of Honor award was presented posthumously to Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy. Roy died battling a five-alarm fire on Lowell Street in the early morning hours of Dec. 9, 2018.

Another 90 individuals were also recognized in a total of 23 awards, including:

• Two Norman Knight Awards for Excellence in Community Service to Fitchburg and Rochester firefighters for work addressing and supporting victims of occupational cancer;
• Ten Group Awards for Meritorious Conduct to teams of firefighters from Boston, Everett, Fall River, Revere, Rockland, Saugus, Sudbury, Westborough and Worcester
• 10 Medals of Valor to individual firefighters from Boston, Everett, Fall River, Revere, Rockland, and Worcester

The complete list of this year’s award winners is as follows:

Medal of Honor

• Worcester– Firefighter Christopher Roy (posthumously)

Medals of Valor

• Boston -  Firefighter Patrick S. Callahan
• Everett - Deputy Chief Scott Dalrymple and Firefighter Josh Doyon
• Fall River - Firefighter Ed Correia Jr., Firefighter Michael Cusick, and Firefighter Raymond Schofield
• Revere - Lieutenant Sean Griffin and Firefighter Paul McInnis
• Rockland - Firefighter Richard Furlong, Jr.
• Worcester – Firefighter Lea Caldwell

Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service

• Fitchburg - Captain Patrick J. Roy

• Rochester - Firefighter/EMT Andrew Weigel and Firefighter/Paramedic Jessica Vinjerud

Excellence in Leadership Award

• Westborough - Captain Daniel J. Hehir

Group Awards for Meritorious Conduct

• Boston - Lieutenant Paul McCarthy, Firefighter Michael Gormley, Firefighter William Joyce, and Firefighter John-Patrick McManus
• Everett - Deputy Chief Scott Dalrymple, Firefighter Chad Bailey, Firefighter Christopher Dockery, Firefighter Josh Doyon, Firefighter Craig Hardy, and Firefighter Joseph Quinn, ret..
• Fall River - District Chief Kevin Blythe, Captain Michael Shea, Lieutenant Daniel Gerling, Lieutenant Paul Machado, Lieutenant Daniel Medeiros. EMS Lieutenant Michael Arruda, Firefighter Bruce Alves, Firefighter Robert Forand, Firefighter James Frascatore, Firefighter Ryan Hebda, Firefighter Sterling Hudson, Firefighter Brandon Jackson, Firefighter Jean Paul LaFleur, Firefighter Tyler Lima, Firefighter Nathan Lowney, Firefighter Christian Ponte, Paramedic Samuel Finney, Paramedic Matthew Fournier, Paramedic Heather Littlefield, Paramedic Charles Oldham, and Paramedic Jessica Soder.
• Fall River - District Chief James Mellen, Captain Matthew Johnson, Lieutenant Paul Berube, EMS Lieutenant Cheryl Davis, Firefighter Andrew Cordeiro, Firefighter Ed Correia Jr., Firefighter Michael Cusick, Firefighter Tyler Lima, Firefighter Brian Rapoza, Firefighter Raymond Schofield, Paramedic Matthew Adams, Paramedic Emanuel DeAraujo, Paramedic James Guilmette, and Paramedic Heather Littlefield.
• Revere - Lieutenant Sean Griffin, Firefighter Frank Trichilo, and Firefighter Paul McInnis
• Rockland - Chief Scott Duffey, Deputy Chief Wooley, Captain Thomas Heaney, Firefighter Richard Furlong Jr., Firefighter Jonathan Hickey, Firefighter Scott Margolis, Firefighter Liam O'Flaherty, Firefighter Marc Oshry, and Firefighter Daniel Rice
• Saugus - Lieutenant William Cross III and Firefighter Anthony Arone
• Sudbury - Lieutenant Alex Gardner, Firefighter Russell Place, and Firefighter Michael Donoghue Jr.
• Westborough -  Firefighter Carl Roche and Firefighter Barry Sullivan
• Worcester - Lieutenant Stephen Kelly, Lieutenant Anthony Raffa, Firefighter Lea Caldwell, Firefighter Ronald Donaghy, Firefighter John O'Malley, Firefighter Blake Perron, and Firefighter Matthew Roy

Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award

• The entire Andover, Lawrence and North Andover Fire Departments for their response to and long recovery after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions.

Complete list of all honorees and summaries.