Up Close &Personal

Page 26, Fire News, January/February 2022 Up Close and Personal

North Providence (RI) Engine 2’s crew at a recent incident. Lt Henry Cullen, Jr., followed his father’s footsteps into the fire service. His fatherwas appointed to the Boston Fire Department in 1965, starting out on Ladder 30 in Egleston Square, Roxbury. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1978 and fought fires on Engine 53 in Roslindale forthe rest of his 40-yearcareer.

- Fire News photo by Ken LaBelle

Merrimack (NH) Fire Rescue and Police responded to Back RiverRoad for a two-vehicle MVA with possible entrapment.

- Fire News photo by Jeffrey Hastings

Crew of Nashua (NH) Engine Company 4 at a working fire on November7, 2021. - Fire News photo by Patrick Kerrigan

On November18, 2021, Dublin (NH) Fire and automatic aid partners were dispatched to Dooe Road fora fire. - Fire News photo by Dylan Conway Firefighters from the Hartford (CT) Fire Department after a recent fire. - Fire News photo by Patrick Dooley

New Haven (CT) FirefighterCollin Whalen of Rescue Company 1.

- Fire News photo by Glenn Duda, CFPA

WindsorLocks (CT) Fire Department Lieutenant Anthony Ruggiero poses with his two-year-old son, Leo, on the back bumperof WindsorLocks Engine 2.

- Fire News photo by Coral Ruggiero

Derby (CT) Assistant Chief Gloade operating at a recent fatal fire on Pleasant View Road on November10, 2021.

- Fire News photo by FireGroundImages.com

FireNews.com Fire News, January/February 2022, Page 27

AFirst forWhitman: Mahoney Promoted to Captain

For the first time in modern history at the Whitman (MA) Fire Department a captain has been promoted. Jason Mahoney was sworn-in as Captain on October 12, 2021, at a brief ceremony held at the Whitman Town Hall in front of friends, family and co-workers. His twin daughters Ryan and Hailey pinned on his badge as his wife Kristina watched.

Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Clancy introduced Mahoney prior to the swearing-in, adding “Jason has always taken advantage of every opportunity to seek education to become a better firefighter and a better leader.”

Captain Jason Mahoney was assigned as Shift Commander on Group 2 on October 1. Captain Mahoney came to the Whitman Fire Department in 2008 as a firefighter/paramedic from the Hanson Fire Department where he had been a member since 2002. Mahoney has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, holds several fire-related certifications and is a Registered Nurse.

The position of captain is new to the Whitman Fire Department as the Deputy Fire Chief, who previously was the Shift Commander of Group 2, has gone to an administrative day schedule. Deputy Chief Alfred Cunningham came off of shift duty and began working days on October 1. Deputy Cunningham’s new position will have him working fire prevention Monday to Friday. - Fire News photos by Pat Travers

Two FirefighterRecruit Classes Graduate from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

35 Recruits Represent 18 Fire Departments

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier announced the graduation of 35 firefighters from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Graduates completed the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program at two campuses: Class 296 trained in Stow and Class BW14 trained in Bridgewater.

“First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities, and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The rigorous professional training they’ve received provides them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.” Class 296 (Stow): 22 Graduates from 12 Fire Departments

The 22 firefighters of Class 296 represent the fire departments of Billerica, Blackstone, Devens, Everett, Foxborough, Lincoln, Lowell, Natick, Plainville, Upton, Winthrop and Woburn.

Class BW14 (Bridgewater): 13 Graduates from 6 Fire Departments

The 13 firefighters of Class BW14 represent the fire departments of Abington, Cohasset, Hull, Hyannis, Norwood and Westport. - Submitted by Jake Wark

Firefighters Memorial in Tiverton (RI)

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Burlington (CT) Engine 3

- Fire News photo by Michael R. Brinius

Retired Truck on Parade

This retired 1973 Maxim 75-foot ladder truck out of Greenwich (NY) is now privately owned by Scott and Maria Brown, members of the Hopkins Hill Fire Department, in Coventry (RI).

Though no longer in service, the rig has been kept busy with community events such as birthday parades, Covid drive-bys, 9/11 memorials, and holiday displays.

This year it participated in the Medway (MA) Holiday Parade. The truck was decorated with over 4,000 pink and red lights, and 200 clear LEDlights, powered by two generators. This year’s theme was cancer awareness.

- Photos courtesy of Scott and Maria Brown

Msgr. Robert O’Grady Retires

On September26, 2021, Mary Gate of Heaven Parish in WindsorLocks (CT) held a retirement reception forMonsignor Robert O’Grady. MonsignorO’Grady has served as the Chaplain forboth the Windsor Locks Police Department and the WindsorLocks Fire Department for many years. Fire Chief Gary Ruggiero told stories of the Monsignor’s time as Chaplain and presented him with a plaque. - Fire News photo by Coral Ruggiero The Warehouse Point Fire Department in East Windsor(CT) recently took delivery of a 2021 Pierce 107-foot Ascendant Aerial Ladder/pumper. This truck serves as a welcome addition to the department’s fleet and will be put into service as Truck 238. - Fire News photo by Coral Ruggiero and Michael Brinius

Warehouse Point Gets New Apparatus

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Fire News, January/February 2022, Page 29 Remembering the Worcester6

December3, 2021, at 1800, the City Of Worcesterand the WorcesterFire Department took part in remembering the Worcester6 who were killed 22 years ago battling the cold storage warehouse fire in Franklin Street. Family, friends, formerand current members of the WFD, and otherfire departments attended. The night started with the WorcesterBag Pipes and Drums marching into Franklin Street. Engine 6 Ladder1 and Rescue 1 were on the apron of the station. As always, this was a very informal event but very emotional. - Fire News photos by John DeForest and Paul Shea

Whitman’s Newest FFs Sworn In

On the evening of November 23, 2021, two of Whitman’s (MA) newest firefighters were sworn-in. Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Feeney, and Firefighter/Paramedic Joshua Gray were sworn-in simultaneously at the beginning of the Selectmen’s Meeting by Town Clerk Dawn Varley in front of friends, family and co-workers. Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Feeney was a 2014 graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, and went on to get a Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State University. From there, Feeney completed EMTand Paramedic programs and topped the Civil Service list for the Town of Whitman. He was hired in April 2020, with his swearing-in being delayed due to Covid restrictions. Feeney lives in Whitman with his fiancé Jill and two sons, Lincoln and Scottie. Feeney’s Uncle Joe was the long-time Deputy Fire Chief of the Town of Whitman, and retired in 2019.

Firefighter/Paramedic Joshua Gray began his firefighting career as the Chaplain for Whitman Fire while he was the minister of the First Congregational Church of Whitman, and then became a member of the call department. After falling in love with the job, he completed EMTand Paramedic courses. Gray was hired as a full-time firefighter for the Town of Halifax, and then the Town of Scituate. After topping the Civil Service list for the Town of Whitman he was hired in April 2021. Gray lives in Whitman with his wife Annie. They have four children Caroline, Jackson, Ryan and their son Ethan, who sadly passed away at a young age.

Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Feeney is assigned to Group-4, while Firefighter/ Paramedic Joshua Gray is assigned to Group-2. - Fire News photos by Pat Travers

WindsorLocks Homecoming

WindsorLocks (CT) High School held theirannual homecoming parade on October16, 2021. WindsorLocks Fire Department Engine 2 participated in the festivities. - Fire News photo by Coral Ruggiero

32nd Annual Firefighterof the YearAwards

Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and Public Safety Secretary Terrence M. Reidy today joined State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey to honor firefighters from 14 Massachusetts fire departments at the 32nd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony, held at Worcester’s (MA) Mechanics Hall. WCVB’s Doug Meehan emceed the event.

Governor Baker, Secretary Reidy, and State Fire Marshal Ostroskey presented six medals of valor, six individual awards for meritorious service, six group awards for meritorious service, one Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service, and one Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal’s Award. The awards and recipients are as follows:

Medals of Valor: • Carver Lieutenant Christopher J. Mahoney • New Bedford Firefighter Paul Medeiros • Saugus Firefighter Greg Cinelli • Somerville Lieutenant Danielle O’Hearn • Springfield Firefighter George Vasquez • Worcester Firefighter Jon Paul Paige

Individual Awards forMeritorious Conduct • Attleboro Firefighter/Paramedic Nicholas W. Sheehan • Brewster Firefighter/Paramedic Gretchen Riley • Harwich Firefighter Josh Ford • Kingston Firefighter Christopher J. Veracka • Lynnfield Firefighter/EMTNicholas M. Holmes • Sutton Fire Chief Matthew Belsito

Group Awards forMeritorious Conduct • Brockton - Lieutenant Benjamin Denny, Lieutenant James W. DuBeau, Jr.; Firefighter Christian Bugbee; Firefighter Paul Jones; Firefighter Corey Lacey; Firefighter Edward J. Lee III; Firefighter Robert Orcutt; and Firefighter Alexander Warren. Continues on next page

FireNews.com

Fire News, January/February 2022, Page 31 32nd Annual Firefighterof the YearAward

(Continued from previous page)

• Dartmouth Fire District 1 - Captain Ryan Cabral and Lieutenant Ryan P. Snell. • New Bedford - Captain Kurt Houghton, Lieutenant Louis Miranda, Firefighter Eric Britto, Firefighter Andrew R. Coderre, Firefighter Darien Jacintho, Firefighter Kenneth Letourneau, Firefighter Paul Medeiros and Firefighter Manuel Mota, Jr. • Saugus - Captain Chris Vinard, Firefighter Sean Bohannon, and Firefighter Greg Cinelli. • Somerville - Deputy Chief Michael Anzalone, Lieutenant Thomas Bellini, Lieutenant Danielle O’Hearn, Firefighter Christopher Carroll, Firefighter Charles Conway, Firefighter Ryan M. Epps, Firefighter Douglas Henry, Firefighter Alex Massiah, Firefighter John O’Connor, and Firefighter Mark Wall. • Springfield - Firefighter Jonathan Shea and Firefighter George Vasquez. Norman Knight Award forExcellence in Community Service • New Bedford Firefighter Bryce Fortes.

Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award • Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer (Retired) Jennifer Mieth.

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 truly remarkable acts of courage, service, and sacrifice by the Commonwealth’s firefighters and recognizing their invaluable contributions to the communities they serve. - Fire News photos by Jake Ward