BROCKTON – Three Brockton firefighters received commendations for their courage, heroism and service on the 35the Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester on Monday, November 18.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine recognized the efforts of 139 firefighters from 22 communities in Massachusetts, including three individuals from the Brockton Fire Department, according to a Department of Fire Services news release.
“I hope the residents of Brockton and residents across the Commonwealth understand that firefighters are there to protect them. As we respond to this calling, we take it very seriously. Sometimes that puts our own lives at risk,” said Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli.
“If you call us, we will arrive. That’s what these three gentlemen did,” he said.
Three Brockton firefighters were honored for their heroism and service during the 35th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony on Monday, November 18.
Always in the know: Brockton firefighter saves man from near-drowning while off duty
Brockton firefighter Helio Lima was off-duty when he went to pick up his brother from a party in July 2023. When he arrived, he heard people shouting that there was someone in the pool who didn’t come up.
Lima jumped into the pool fully clothed and dragged the man outside. He performed CPR on the victim who had no pulse, he said.
On Wednesday, Lima received a Citation of Meritorious Conduct for his lifesaving efforts.
Before immigrating to Brockton, Lima was a firefighter in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, for seven years.
What else has Lima done? Cape Verdean firefighters train in Brockton. Here’s how it happened
“My dream was to remain a firefighter. That’s what I liked to do. I came here nine years ago and went to station four and asked how I could become a firefighter,” Lima said.
Lima has been part of the Brockton Fire Department for “an amazing three years,” he said.
Governor Maura Healey speaks Monday at the 35th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards Ceremony at Mechanics Hall.
Four-year-old rescued from burning building
Firefighter Joseph Hanley also received an individual Citation of Meritorious Conduct on Monday after pulling a 4-year-old girl from a burning home in Brockton in March 2023.
Hanley said the girl was sleeping on the first floor of the house when the fire broke out. A bathroom was the only room separating where she slept from the flames, Hanley said.
Hanley has been with the Brockton Fire Department for approximately 27 years.
KEEPING BROCKTON SAFE: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Brockton firefighter?
‘We have made this city a lot safer in terms of fire’
Fire Chief Edward Williams has dedicated his life’s work to improving fire safety and education in Brockton. On Monday, he received the Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award in recognition of his more than three decades of service to the Brockton Fire Department.
Since 1999, Williams has served as the city’s fire inspector. Williams will retire in just over a month.
“I think we’ve made this city a lot safer fire-wise,” Williams said.
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A solemn walk honors Brockton firefighter Jason A. Gould, 46, of Middleboro, at Russell & Pica Funeral Home in Lakeville, on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Gould was a fourth-generation firefighter for the city of Brockton, and was a veteran of the United States Navy.
Fourth-generation Brockton firefighter to be honored posthumously
Jason Gould, a veteran and fourth-generation Brockton firefighter, was posthumously honored at Tuesday’s awards ceremony. He died on September 8 at the age of 46 from complications resulting from injuries he suffered while rescuing a woman from an apartment fire in Brockton about a decade earlier.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton firefighters honored at annual firefighter of the year ceremony
