Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Department are proud to report that three Stoneham 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.
Stoneham Firefighters Andrew Chabak, Mike Paone and Nick Rolli were honored with the Governor’s Citation for Meritorious Conduct for their response to a Feb. 23 fire on Main Street in Stoneham.
It was just after 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 when the Stoneham Fire Department received a report of a house fire with gunshots being fired at a home on Main Street.
Multiple Stoneham Fire Department companies responded immediately, as did Stoneham Police. Stoneham Police detained a man who was trying to get into the burning home using a firearm, and firefighters immediately went to work to locate and save a parapalegic man known to live in the home.
Firefighter Paone, who responded on Ladder 1, and Firefighter Rolli, who responded on Engine 3, climbed a ground ladder to enter a bedroom in the home that was filled with heavy smoke, gases and heat. They searched the room twice with a thermal imaging camera before locating the parapalegic resident on a bed under blankets.
Firefighters Paone and Rolli then carried the resident over a large volume of contents of the home to Firefighter Chabak, who responded on Ladder 1 and who was waiting at the top of the ground ladder. Firefighter Chabak then got the resident down the ladder to other responding firefighters and EMTs. The resident was then transported to a local hospital.
“Firefighters Paone, Rolli and Chabak worked together as a team and risked their own well-being while rescuing a parapalegic resident under difficult firefighting conditions,” said Chief Grafton. “I was proud to watch them be recognized by the governor and entire Commonwealth today.”
Gov. Healey and Marshal Davine, along with Secretary of Public Safety and Secretary Terrence Reidy, led the awards ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester 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 here.