- Department of Fire Services
Media Contact
Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
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 today at the 35th 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.
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.
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