Heroic Acts of Firefighters and New Legislation Honored in Mass.

Praising them for their bravery and courage, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and Public Safety Secretary Robert C. Haas today presented the 17th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards to firefighters from across the Commonwealth who have committed heroic acts of bravery over the past year.

"Each year I am proud to honor the Commonwealth's firefighters for tremendous acts of heroism [and] acts of bravery," said Healey. "Without hesitation or regard for your own welfare, you answer the call to duty knowing only that someone in harm's way needs your help. I am humbled by the sense of duty you display and the pride you take in protecting your fellow citizens."

"Thanks to the quick, decisive and courageous actions of the men and women we honor today, people who most assuredly would have perished are still alive," said Haas. "Your devotion to duty and your thorough training have allowed you to save lives and earn the respect and admiration of those you serve."
Awards were presented to 12 individual firefighters and six group awards were presented to 78 firefighters representing six fire departments.

Four Medals of Honor were presented to two firefighters from Holyoke, and one from Revere and one from Salem.

Six Medals of Valor were presented to firefighters from Amesbury, Concord (2), Gloucester, Revere (2) Fire Departments.
Two Individual Citations for Meritorious Conduct were presented to firefighters from Concord and Fitchburg. Group Citations for Meritorious Conduct were presented to teams of firefighters from Boston, Chelsea, Holyoke, Northbridge, Revere, and Salem.

In addition, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan presented the Fire Marshal's award to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Garofalo and to Tomas Kearney. The Garofalos, of Plymouth, lost their 7-year-old daughter, Nicole, to carbon monoxide poisoning in Jan. 2005. Following Nicole's death, they lobbied for passage of "Nicole's Law," which requires carbon monoxide alarms in most homes. Tomas Kearney accepted his award on behalf of his family, who worked to ensure passage of fire-safe cigarette legislation in Massachusetts this past year. The Kearney family lost five members and a close family friend in a 1990 Roslindale fire caused by an improperly discarded cigarette.

Coan said, "These two families poured the pain of personal tragedy into the fight to make the Commonwealth safer for all its citizens. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with these families to pass these two pieces of landmark legislation."