Press Release  State’s Fire Chaplains Honor Longtime DFS Employee

STOW — A longtime member of the Department of Fire Services’ Special Operations team was honored last night by the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, who presented him with an award named for a beloved New York City fire chaplain.

DFS Special Operations Planning Coordinator Michael McLaughlin received the Mychal Judge Award at the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains’ annual Harris Conference in Beverly last night. McLaughlin, a former Stow fire chief, is the liaison between DFS and the Corps, supporting training, communication, and other assistance.

Reverend Bruce Arbour, the state’s chief fire chaplain, said the award – named for the FDNY chaplain who lost his life assisting firefighters at Ground Zero on the morning of September 11, 2001 – is the highest honor the Corps can bestow. It is presented to those “whose selfless dedication and sacrifice promotes the creed of the Corps of Fire Chaplains, ‘Serving those who serve.’”

Rev. Arbour handed the award plaque to McLaughlin’s son, Capt. Gregg McLaughlin of the Marblehead Fire Department, to present.

State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine lauded McLaughlin’s contributions to the fire service for more than 50 years, including time as a firefighter in Lancaster, fire chief in that town and in Stow, and since 2013 helping to coordinate direct operational support to local fire departments through the DFS Special Operations team. He has served as liaison between DFS and the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains since 2016.

“Mike’s decades of experience in the fire service make him an asset to DFS and our local partners,” he said. “But his quiet commitment to helping others, and his determination to support their wellbeing, make him a truly special friend to us all.”

Also last night, State Fire Marshal Davine swore in the Corps’ officers and district representatives for their annual terms and thanked the assembled group for the invaluable service they provide to firefighters, their loved ones, and their communities in moments of crisis. He recounted a recent event in which a fire chaplain had gotten up in the middle of the night and driven to a fatal fire in a small, Western Massachusetts town to support the victim’s family and responding firefighters.

“For more than 25 years, the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains has been a steady, reliable, and deeply valued resource to these brave men and women,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “On behalf of the Department of Fire Services, I’m honored to count the Corps and its membership among our strongest partners.”

While the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains was incorporated in 1999, fire department chaplains have been a part of the fire service for more than 100 years. To learn more, visit the Massachusetts Corps of Fire chaplains' website.

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