• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

PR for Police, Fire, Schools and Municipal Government

  • About
    • About
    • Team
    • Jobs at JGPR
    • Internships
  • Services
    • Content
    • Strategy
    • Standards
    • COVID-19 Crisis Communications
    • Work With Us
  • Our Work
    • Portfolio
    • Sectors We Serve
  • News
    • COVID-19 News
    • Client News
    • JGPR News
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Update #2 from the Town of Berwick and Barnes Family

Firefighters began a 24-hour constant vigil over the body of Captain Barnes since the arrival of a procession from the medical examiner's office in Concord, New Hampshire to the Tasker Funeral Home in Dover. The vigil will continue without interruption until the funeral services. 

March 2, 2019 John Guilfoil City/Town News

March 2, 2019 by John Guilfoil

For immediate release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-752-9877
Email: john@jgpr.net

Update from the Town of Berwick and Berwick Fire & Rescue Department

Barnes Family Statement Included

Firefighters to Maintain 24-Hour Vigil Over Captain Joel Barnes

BERWICK, Maine — The Town of Berwick and the firefighting community in New England and beyond are collectively in mourning today after the line of duty death of Berwick Fire & Rescue Captain Joel Barnes, who died fighting a four-alarm fire that injured four other firefighters on Friday afternoon.

Captain Barnes, age 32, was a paramedic and served as the Berwick Fire & Rescue training officer and emergency medical services coordinator. He previously worked for the Horry County, South Carolina Fire Rescue Department, South Berwick Rescue, York Ambulance and the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department before joining Berwick Fire in July 2016. He was also an active per diem firefighter for Town of Acton, Maine.

Captain Barnes died in a large apartment fire on Bell Street Friday. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. An initial finding indicates that Captain Barnes was leading another firefighter in an interior attack of the fire when conditions suddenly worsened.

“Captain Barnes died a hero, battling a large and dangerous building fire. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his community,” said Berwick Fire Chief Dennis Plante.

Added Berwick Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge: “Firefighters run toward danger and into places that everyone else is running away from. Captain Barnes lost his life saving others, while we honor him, we are struck with a profound sense of grief today. On behalf of the enter Berwick community, I wish to thank everyone for their offers of support and expressions of condolence.”

24-Hour Vigil

Firefighters began a 24-hour constant vigil over the body of Captain Barnes since the arrival of a procession from the medical examiner’s office in Concord, New Hampshire to the Tasker Funeral Home in Dover. The vigil will continue without interruption until the funeral services.

Statement of the Barnes Family

“Joel always wanted to be a firefighter. He died doing the job he loved, helping his brother firefighters. Joel died a hero, and while nothing can ease the tremendous sense of loss and grief that we are now feeling, we are proud that his final actions were selfless.

“Joel leaves his mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew, along with extended family. We have been overwhelmed by expressions of sorrow and offers of support from our neighbors in Berwick, from throughout Maine and New Hampshire, and from the firefighting community.

“We are asking for privacy so that our family can come together during this time.” — The Barnes Family

Fund Established

The family of Captain Barnes requests that any donations being made in his name go to the Berwick Volunteer Firefighters Association in his memory c/o Kennebunk Saving Bank, 2 School St., Berwick, ME 03901.

Additional Updates

This is the latest of several updates that will be distributed as new information becomes available. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.

###

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

City/Town News berwick,  fire department,  line of duty death,  lodd,  Maine

About John Guilfoil

John Guilfoil is the founder and principal owner of JGPR.

Primary Sidebar


Email Updates

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,070 other subscribers

Recent News

  • Kearsarge Regional School District Hosts Media Literacy Presentations January 30, 2023
  • Southbridge Public Schools Partners with ENGAGE Massachusetts to Support Students’ Success  January 30, 2023
  • Fast-Acting West Newbury Firefighters Prevent Serious Damage to Barn with Animals Inside January 29, 2023
  • Statement of Maynard Police Chief Michael Noble Regarding Senseless Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis January 29, 2023
  • A Statement from the Woburn School Committee and Mayor Scott Galvin Regarding Ongoing Contract Negotiations January 29, 2023

Content. Strategy. Standards.

When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency.


Contact Us Work With Us

Footer

Always Open

Call us: 617-993-0003

We’re available 24/7/365.

Location

Main Office
Northern New England

8 Prospect St.
Georgetown, MA 01833
617-993-0003

Southern New England
719 Washington St.
Canton, MA 02021
781-428-3299

Award Winning

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news.

Subscribe to this website

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,070 other subscribers
Copyright © 2023 John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC Log in · Privacy Policy
 

Loading Comments...