Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Staff

W. Waweru is Jadetimes News Reporter covering America News

Worcester, Massachusetts — Hundreds of firefighters combined for the 35th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester on Monday, November 18. 22 Worcester firefighters for being honored and represented. Their dedications involved immediately supporting a gunshot victim at the 2023 Caribbean Festival in Worcester, saving many lives in the Washington Heights apartment complex fire in June, and liberating a mother and her young daughter who were stuck on the third floor of a Cohasset Street apartment building in November 2023.

Off-duty firefighter Ryan Magee found out about his neighbors shouting and discovered into the building without protective gear to begin to save lives to rescue them.

According to Spectrum News, “other Worcester honorees included Captain Jessie Verdolino and Lts. Matthew Kane, John Ushinski, Patrick Chviruk, Matthew Johnson, Patrick Moran and Brian O’Connor. Firefighters Michael Berube, David Brotherton, Timothy Brotherton, Steven Brotherton, Giuliano Conte, Patrick Flibbert, Matthew Foley, Timothy Fontaine, Dana Ford, Kyle Green, Sean Murphy, Edwin Paulino, Daniel Roy and Andrejs Sterns were also recognized.”

Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche reported the department’s heroic performance in their hard work to represent the Worcester community was on the entire display. Adam Roche stated an interview on their legacy, and how does the Firefighter impacted others. 

“It’s a perfect demonstration that there’s so many different types of responses we go to, whether it be a water rescue, whether it’s something like a shooting at the Caribbean festival, or your everyday three-decker fires where we’re rescuing individuals,” Roche stated.

Governor Maura Healey, Secretary of Public Safety, and Security Terrence Reidy, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine participated this special occasion as presenters to celebrate at Mechanics Hall.

“This year’s award winners carried residents from burning homes, pulled out swimmers from the water, and even rescued their brother and sister firefighters under crisis conditions,” Healey reported. “Some of them have spent decades helping their communities, while others are fresh on the job. But they have one thing in common - when they heard the call for help, they answered.”

Healey reported new Brush Firers have appeared communities shows the important role of Worcester Fire Departments, however there a lot of progress which needs to addressed. Consequently, 139 firefighters from 22 communities earned awards.