27 November, 2023
Interim Chief Gary Daugherty and the Hopkinton Fire Department are proud to share that six Hopkinton Firefighters were honored by Gov. Maura Healey, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine and others Tuesday at the 34th Annual Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Awards.
Daugherty, Lt. John Sheridan, Firefighter Jim Gosselin, Firefighter Maxwell Hoadley, Firefighter Douglas R. Lewis III and Firefighter Jarrod Taranto were presented with the Governer's Citation for Meritorious Conduct Tuesday at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
The firefighters were recognized for their response to a fatal April 9 fire on Hayward Street in Hopkinton.
It was 1:12 a.m. on April 9 when the Hopkinton Fire Department began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a structure fire and possible explosion on Haywood Street.
Ladder 1 and Engine 2 arrived to find fire showing from a 1-1/2 story home, with live power lines down in the yard in front of the home. A bystander reported there were two people still inside the home. No working smoke detectors were present.
Ladder 1's crew stretched a hose line through a side yard and began applying water to the fire, while Lt. Sheridan called for a second alarm. Interim Chief Daugherty then arrived at the scene and joined Lt. Sheridan in forcing entry and making an aggressive interior search of the home. Lt. Sheridan and Interim Chief Daugherty located a resident on the ground near a bathroom, and carried that resident out of the home to awaiting EMS crews.
Without pause, Lt. Sheridan and Interim Chief Daugherty then returned into the home's interior, searching down a smoke-filled hallway to find a second victim on the ground in a rear bedroom. Lt. Tony Duca of the Ashland Fire Department, who had responded to the fire as mutual aid, met Lt. Sheridan and Interim Chief Daugherty inside the home and helped carry the second resident out.
Both residents eventually succumbed to their injuries, but both had a chance at survival due to the actions and teamwork of the firefighters involved.
"The combined efforts of Ladder 1 and Engine 2's aggressive fire attack and simultaneous patient care, along with Lts. Sheridan, Duca, and Interim Chief Daugherty's actions above the call of duty, truly demonstrate outstanding acts of heroism and bravery," reads the firefighters' nomination for the award.
"That night, our firefighters faced numerous challenges upon arrival. Only through our training, teamwork, and support from our mutual aid departments were we able to make this happen. Everyone who responded played a pivotal role," said Interim Chief Daugherty. "I also want to thank the paramedics who treated and transported the patients."
Gov. Healey and Marshal Davine, along with Secretary of Public Safety and Secretary Terrence Reidy, led the awards ceremony, which honored 130 firefighters from 22 departments statewide.
“Each year, the Firefighter of the Year Awards recognize acts of bravery, heroism, and service that are truly remarkable — even by the remarkable standards set by Massachusetts firefighters,” said Gov. Healey. “From structure fires to rushing waters, this year’s recipients defied grave danger to protect lives and preserve property. It’s an honor to celebrate them as individuals and teams. They represent the very finest in a tradition of helping others in times of danger and crisis.”
To learn more about the 34th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards, and other recipients, click following link (https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-presents-34th-…).
