WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Clancy is pleased to announce that the Whitman Fire Department held its annual firefighters memorial parade and awards ceremony this past weekend.
On Sunday, June 5, present and former Whitman firefighters, their families, elected officials, members of the Whitman Police Department and special guests gathered for the event.
The parade is intended to honor and pay tribute to firefighters from the town who have passed away.
As part of the event, a wreath was placed at the station’s Memorial Bell by members of Whitman Firefighters Local 1769 and several members of the fire department gave remarks.
Those in attendance then marched to Colebrook Cemetery, where a wreath was placed at the Whitman Firefighters Memorial. The march included members from the Whitman Police Honor Guard and Whitman American Legion Post Honor Guard.
A roll call and tolling of the bell for deceased members then took place, as did a reading of the Firefighter’s Prayer by longtime fire chaplain Father Allan Butler.
Guests at the event included Father Butler, State Rep. Alyson Sullivan, Senator Michael Brady, Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman, as well as Selectmen Randy LaMattina, Dan Salvucci, Justin Evans and Shawn Kain.
Medal of Valor Recipients
Of note, Firefighter-Paramedic Scott Figgins and Firefighter-Paramedic Zachary Baldwin were awarded the Whitman Fire Department’s Medal of Valor awards. The awards were given in recognition of Figgins and Brown’s heroic actions during a medical emergency call on Jan. 3 that directly saved the life of a party that was attempting to cause self-harm.
Firefighter-Paramedic Andrew McGillivray, who was previously awarded the Medal of Valor from the department, was also recognized for his actions in helping to save a life at last year’s Fourth of July parade in Quincy.
Fire Service Award Recipients
The Whitman Fire Department also recognized several members for receiving Fire Service awards, presented to those who have served for at least 20 years. Recipients included:
20 years of service
- Captain Jason Mahoney
- Lieutenant Nicholas Grasso
- Firefighter-Paramedic Andrew McGillivray
- Firefighter-Paramedic Scott Nascarella
- Firefighter-Paramedic Patrick Travers
- Firefighter-Paramedic Steven Foster
25 years of service
- Deputy Fire Chief Alfred Cunningham
- Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Busch
- Firefighter-Paramedic Josef Kenealy
- Firefighter-Paramedic Richard MacKinnon, Jr.
30 years of service
- Fire Chief Timothy J. Clancy, Jr.
- Firefighter-Paramedic Scott Figgins
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