Up Close &Personal

Page 24, Fire News, September/October2022 Up Close & Personal

ALynn (MA) fire chief briefs the media aftera multiple-alarm fire. - Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Nashua (NH) Deputy Kerrigan and his aide Cory Farrar(brother of Engine Co. 5 Lieutenant Tim Farrar) at a second-alarmeron Temple Street. - Fire News photo by Patrick Kerrigan

Westwood (MA) FirefighterAndrew Reardon, Duxbury (MA) Fire Chief Rob Reardon and retired Westwood Deputy Chief Mike Reardon. - Fire News photo by Tyler Reardon

FatherDan Mahoney, the Boston Fire Department’s Chief Chaplain, recently retired. He was appointed in 1964 and celebrated his last Mass on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Pictured are Joe Finn, retired Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department; Jack Dempsey, present Commissioner/Chief of Department; FatherDaniel Mahoney; retired Commissioner/Chief of Department Marty Pierce; and retired Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department Paul Christian. - Fire News photo by Bill Noonan Boston Sparks Association A-10 crew with Steph Hassan who ran the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2022, to raise money forthe Last Call Foundation. Steph is the daughterof memberEd Hassan. - Fire News photo by Dave Stewart

Beacon Hose Company 1 (Beacon Falls, CT) firefighter operating at a recent twoalarm fire in Naugatuck (CT) on June 28, 2022. - Fire News photo by FireGroundImages.com

The New England Fire Chiefs conference June 2022. - Fire News photo by Paul Shea

Firefighters from the ManchesterFire Department aftera recent fire. - Fire News photo by Patrick Dooley

The firefighters assigned to Arlington Engine 2 aftera three-alarm fire in Somerville (MA) on July 4, 2022. - Fire News photo by Owen Carrigan

The Connecticut Fire Academy Memorial in WindsorLocks. - Fire News photo by John DeForest

CTInstructors/Coordinators Dinner

On June 15, 2022, Hartford County (CT) Fire Instructors and Coordinators held theirannual dinnerat the Farmington Polo Grounds in Farmington. - Fire News photo by John DeForest

Boston’s Biggest Class of FFs

The biggest class to graduate in recent years, maybe ever, from the Boston (MA) Fire Academy consisted of 90 new firefighters. The class photo was taken in May, and graduation was on June 24, 2022, with MayorMichelle Wu and Fire CommissionerJack Dempsey present; a high-rise fire, four-alarmer, came in right in the middle of the ceremony. - Fire News photo by Bill Noonan 4th of July Parade in Enfield (CT)

Fire News, September/October2022, Page 25 PRIDEStarEMS Paramedics Earn MAAmbulance Assn.

Stars of Life Medallions

PRIDEStar EMS proudly shares that two paramedics have been honored with Stars of Life medallions by the Massachusetts Ambulance Association after taking part in the annual Convoy of Champions ambulance convoy during National EMS Week.

On May 17, 2022, PRIDEStar EMS joined with other emergency medical companies from across the Commonwealth for the third annual Massachusetts Ambulance Association Convoy of Champions. The ambulance convoy traveled from UMass Medical Science Park in Worcester to Boston MedFlight headquarters in Bedford, with an escort from Massachusetts State Police and a UMass Memorial LifeFlight air ambulance.

The convoy recognized the contributions of ambulance companies such as PRIDEStar during National EMS Week, recognized in 2022, from May 15-21. The event concluded with recognition selected EMTs, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Dispatchers and other EMS support staff in the annual Stars of Life award ceremony.

Dr. John P. Broach, Director of the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Management for UMass Memorial Health, thanked all the Stars of Life for their tireless work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paramedics Bobby Thorne and Samantha Kuenzler were recognized with Stars of Life medallions as a result of performing approximately 18 minutes of CPR and using an automated external defibrillator to revive a man after he suffered cardiac arrest at his home near PRIDEStar’s Haverhill base.

Paramedic Kuenzler had spoken with the man earlier in the day while he was shoveling snow, and jokingly told him he likely lived in the safest house in Haverhill because he lives next door to PRIDEStar.

After reviving St. Germaine, Paramedics Kuenzler and Thorne transported the patient to Lawrence General Hospital, where he recovered. - Submitted by Robert Mills; photo courtesy of PRIDEstar EMS

PRIDEStarEMS Paramedic MacDonald Recognized as Emergency Medical Professional of the Year

PRIDEStar EMS proudly shares that Paramedic Jeff MacDonald was recently recognized by the Exchange Club of Haverhill (MA) as the Emergency Medical Professional of the Year.

MacDonald, who has worked for Trinity EMS since 2008, first as an EMTand then as a Paramedic, was honored for consistently going above and beyond the call of duty while not seeking recognition, for providing quality care on a regular basis, and for working to support families within the community.

The Exchange Club of Haverhill recognized Paramedic MacDonald, as well as the Firefighters of the Year, the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year, and the Corrections Professionals of the Year at a First Responders award luncheon at Maria’s Family Restaurant in downtown Haverhill on June 16, 2022.

“Jeff is a really special guy who has all the knowledge and sincerity that really help paramedics and EMTs thrive,” said PRIDEStar Senior Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations Chris Dick. “He’s a low key, under the radar kind of guy who doesn’t want recognition, but he shows up early every day, stays late, and when you have him on scene, he takes control and you’re happy that he's there.”

Paramedic MacDonald said he always wanted to pursue a career in the health care field so he could help people, and found that his goals and the goals of Trinity EMS matched up when he joined in 2008.

“Whenever I saw somebody that was hurt I always ran toward them to help,” said MacDonald. “In the emergency medical field, I'm able to focus on my skills and really help the majority of people I come in contact with, not only physically by providing care, but also mentally by talking to them if they’re upset emotionally or dealing with trauma.” - Submitted by Robert Mills

Page 26, Fire News, September/October2022 Still Driving at the Musters

Ninety-two-year-old Ray Petell pilots the Bissellville MusterTeam’s 1919 White pumperdown the track during the opening ceremony forthe Hinsdale (MA) Muster. Though Ray never served on a fire department he has been running in musters since 1974! He is accompanied by many of his family members (a good numberhave joined the area departments) and a few guests from the Pittsfield Fire Department. - Fire News photo by Ed Harvey

Worcester’s Cady’s Last Shift

The last shift ForWorcester(MA) Lieutenant Mark Cady, Engine 13, Group 4, oras his crew calls it “13 Actual.” Mark worked his last shift on July 14, 2022. He started the day with a two-alarm fire. It was a relatively slow day forone of the city’s busiest companies. Throughout the day people came down to wish Mark luck on his retirement. His crew made a big steak dinnerforhis last firehouse meal. Mark retires after32 years on the WorcesterFire Department. He also served as a call firefighterin the nearby town of Oxford (MA). - Fire News photos by Paul Shea

Chief Nord Calls it a Career

Chief Nord was given the American Flag that was flown at the firehouse for his last week. During the flag ceremony Chief Rob Reardon presented the flag to him before he was driven home in the laddertruck. - Fire News photo by Rob Reardon

Duxbury (MA) Fire department honorguard at the Memorial Day parade in Duxbury. - Fire News photo by Rob Reardon

Southwick Memorial Day Parade

Southwick (MA) firefighters took part in the traditional Memorial Day parade in town on May 30, 2022. ForSouthwick members Chief Russ Anderson, Captain Paul Johnson and Firefighter Dave Humphrey this was their last parade.

- Fire News photos by John DeForest

NE Muster Association, Muster

Members of the Florida (MA) MusterTeam battled an oil fire as part of the New England Muster Association’s musterheld in Whatley (MA) in June 2022.

- Fire News photo by Ed Harvey

Honoring Hoseman Buchanan

On May 28, 2022, Barbara Lima, daughterof Hoseman Charles Buchanan, Rescue Company 2 unveils a plaque almost 75 years after Buchanan died in the performance of his duty at a three-alarm fire in Allston (MA). Barbara had just turned five when herdad died. The plaque joined others so honored killed from Engine 42, Ladder30 and Rescue 2 at theirnew quarters on Columbus Avenue. - Fire News photo by Bill Noonan