From left, Attleboro Firefighters Brian Sweeney, Jason Mayer, Nicholas Manganello, and Jessie Lee, and Capt. Scott Godin received a Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct at the 35th Annual Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Awards. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Department of Fire Services)
ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department are proud to report that seven Attleboro firefighters were honored by Gov. Maura Healey, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy and others Monday at the 35th Annual Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Awards.
The Attleboro Fire Department’s Capt. Scott Godin and Steven Stellakis and Firefighters Ryan Bielawa, Jessie Lee, Nicholas Manganello, Jason Mayer and Brian Sweeney were all honored with the annual event’s Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct.
The Attleboro firefighters were commended for safely pulling off a very tricky rescue on the side of Interstate 95 on June 28, 2024, around 1:43 p.m., when they rendered aid to an injured man and a 7-year-old boy at a crash scene after they were ejected from their vehicle and landed at the bottom of an extremely steep embankment.
The firefighters needed to use a Stokes stretcher, also known as a Stokes litter or rescue basket, along with various power tools to reach the injured people and then safely lift them out from the 30-foot-deep ditch on the side of the road.
“There was no path to get down there, so they used a combination of ladders and ropes,” Chief Lachance said. “This is a testimony to them thinking on their feet and doing something that’s not a part of our normal, everyday responses. It’s atypical. They’re prepared for it, though.”
The seven firefighters called on the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team for assistance but reached the victims before its arrival.
“At the time, they couldn’t wait for the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team that was more equipped for that since you don’t know how injured a person is until you get down to them,” Lachance said.
The man driving the vehicle was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, while the 7-year-old boy was sent to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, both surviving and suffering only minor injuries.
The Attleboro firefighters were among 139 firefighters from 22 communities across Massachusetts who were recognized for outstanding acts of bravery, heroism and service at a ceremony in Worcester on Monday.
“The group award is nice,” Chief Lachance said. “It shows the result is greater than the sum of the parts. They were able to work together and do something that individually they wouldn’t be able to do. It’s a very steep slope. They had some things working against them. It was a good outcome.”
Gov. Healey, State Fire Marshal Davine and Secretary Reidy led the awards ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
“Over the past several weeks, Massachusetts residents have seen firefighters heroically working to protect their communities from an unprecedented wildfire season,” Gov. Healey said. “But the truth is that our firefighters demonstrate brave action, selfless compassion and deep commitment to their cities and towns every single day. The Firefighter of the Year Awards are a way to celebrate the heroes who never hesitate to answer a call for help.”
The firefighters recognized at the 35th annual ceremony represent the Amesbury Fire Department, Attleboro Fire Department, Barnstable Fire Department, Brockton Fire Department, Chicopee Fire Department, Cotuit Fire Department, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Falmouth Fire Department, Hyannis Fire Department, Lawrence Fire Department, Lowell Fire Department, New Bedford Fire Department, Newton Fire Department, North Attleboro Fire Department, Orange Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Department, Salisbury Fire Department, Springfield Fire Department, Westborough Fire Department, Whitman Fire Department, Woburn Fire Department, and Worcester Fire Department.
“Being a firefighter isn’t just a job — it’s a calling,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “It takes us to classrooms and senior centers. It puts us on ladders, ropes, hose lines, and rescue boats. The dozens of scenarios behind this year’s awards reflect the depth and variety of the fire service mission. And the recipients all reflect extraordinary courage and determination to serve others regardless of the danger to themselves.”
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