FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 603-471-3154
Email: [email protected]

*Joint Release*

Rochester Firefighter Earns City’s 2017 Employee of the Year Award

ROCHESTER — City Manager Daniel Fitzpatrick and Fire Chief Mark Klose are pleased to report that Firefighter Matt Furtney has been named the City of Rochester’s Employee of the Year for 2017. 

Firefighter Furtney earned the recognition for his immense dedication to protecting the safety and welfare of Rochester’s residents throughout the year. He will be officially recognized at Employee Recognition Night on Friday, March 16, at the Elks Club.

In June, he spearheaded an effort by several Rochester firefighters to build a wheelchair ramp for an East Rochester resident, helping to make his home more accessible.

Additionally, in July, Firefighter Furtney showed extraordinary courage when he rescued a man at risk of drowning in the Cocheco River. First responders initially could not locate the man in the open water, but Firefighter Furtney was determined and initiated a search through dense brush and swampland. He was eventually able to locate the victim with a flashlight, allowing crews to reach him and pull him to safety.

“Matt sets an extraordinary example for our entire department of what it means to be a firefighter, and I’m proud of him for earning this honor,” Chief Klose said. “He’s someone that all of our firefighters look up to, and his commitment to excellence in service to the people of Rochester is something that we all admire.” 

Rochester’s Employee Recognition and Achievement Team selected Firefighter Furtney from a group of finalists that also included Firefighter Kaitlin Taatjes, who earned an honorable mention for her work in 2017.

“I want to congratulate Firefighter Furtney for earning this award, which represents his extraordinary contributions to the fire department and the city throughout 2017,” City Manager Fitzpatrick said. “He distinguished himself with his courage and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, and this honor is well deserved.”

Firefighter Furtney has been with the Rochester Fire Department since 2014. He was named the city’s Employee of the Month in September of 2017, and was nominated by Capt. Mark Avery.

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