Press Release  Maynard Firefighter Named Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year

SOUTHBRIDGE — A Maynard firefighter was named the 2023 Fire & Life Safety Educator of the year at the 28^th annual Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine announced today.

Captain Mike Parr was one of five fire safety educators nominated for the award, which was presented by State Fire Marshal Davine and members of the Department of Fire Services. He is credited with launching a YouTube channel for the Maynard Fire Department to reach residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and producing This Old Firehouse, a video series that provided safety messaging and introduced viewers to the Department’s operations.

Captain Parr also revised the Department’s annual fire safety presentations to schoolchildren, switching from a large-group format to smaller, classroom-sized presentations that provided age-appropriate safety lessons and maximized communication with Maynard’s youngsters. Maynard Fire Chief Angela Lawless, who accepted the award on Captain Parr’s behalf, said that he has also increased the Department’s visibility and accessibility to older adults by collaborating with the Council on Aging and senior housing complexes. His presentations to these groups go beyond fire safety and address accident and injury prevention as well.

The Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year Award honors an individual or a team for their involvement and commitment to making our world safer from fire and other preventable injuries. It recognizes those who have shown excellence in educating their community and demonstrated outstanding leadership, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. This year’s nominees also included:

• Captain William Paskiewicz of the Billerica Fire Department;
• Captain Joseph Townsend of the Nantucket Fire Department;
• Firefighter Stephen Joyce of the Sturbridge Fire Department; and
• Lieutenant Matthew Morin of the Sunderland Fire Department.

The award ceremony capped off two days that included 30 hours of workshops that covered topics from safety for older adults to identifying potential active shooter threats. Attendees heard from featured speakers including Jim Pauley, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association; Hillary Dubois Farquharson, Amanda Sandoval, and Gabrielle Sullivan from High Rock Treatment Center; and Lieutenant Matthew Morin of the Sunderland Fire Department, who promoted diversity, equity, and effective communication in fire prevention.

The Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Education Conference brings fire educators, prevention officers, teachers, care specialists, and others together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and improve safety services in Massachusetts’ communities. This year’s conference was held at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center in Southbridge.

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