WORCESTER ― The Commonwealth of Massachusetts honored three Saugus firefighters and one Lynnfield firefighter for their bravery in the line of duty.
Fire Capt. Chris Vinard and Firefighters Sean Bohannon and Greg Cinelli of Saugus, along with Firefighter Nicholas M. Holmes of Lynnfield, were among 17 individuals recognized for their actions at the annual Firefighter of the Year Heroic Awards on Tuesday at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
“We should never forget that while these stories may sound like a movie, they’re not,” Gov. Charlie Baker said during the awards. “They’re real life. And in real life, it doesn’t always end the way you hoped it would.”
The Saugus Fire Department received a citation for meritorious conduct; out of the three recipients, the coveted Medal of Valor went to Cinelli.
Cinelli, Vinard, and Bohannon arrived at Tuttle Street in Saugus on Aug. 6, 2020, following the report of a stolen U-Haul rental vehicle. Saugus Police had requested backup to assist with the suspect, 43-year-old Steven Sossong.
Sossong retreated into his home and made threats to himself after police tried to question him. The firefighters were called to open the door after the suspect barricaded it, and were also called to stand by for medical aid if needed.
After the firefighter safely opened the door, the officers entered, where they found the suspect wielding a knife. Three officers were stabbed and the fourth officer was injured after struggling with the suspect.
Seeing the officers needing help, the three firefighters stepped in. Cinelli grabbed the knife from Sossong and held him in a shoulder hold, while officers secured the assailant’s arms and legs.
The wounded officers have since recovered from their injuries and the suspect is awaiting trial on nine indictment charges, including three counts of armed assault with intent to murder.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the commonwealth’s firefighters demonstrate bravery and professionalism every day, and that Massachusetts communities are grateful for the service of these dedicated public safety professionals.
“It’s a privilege to recognize this year’s award winners and thank fire service personnel across the commonwealth for doing such a difficult, dangerous job so well every day,” Polito said.
Lynnfield Firefighter and EMT Nicholas M. Holmes received an Individual Meritorious Conduct Award for his actions during a fire last year.
On Nov. 16, 2020, Lynnfield Fire Rescue 2 was the first Lynnfield Fire Department unit on scene for a report of a pickup truck engulfed in flames on Route 1 after the driver crashed into a sign post while fleeing police.
Holmes quickly assessed the situation and determined that the driver was unresponsive, was pinned inside the burning vehicle, and had to be pulled out quickly.
Holmes used hand tools to break the windows, climbed into the passenger compartment, and placed a self-contained breathing apparatus face piece on the driver.
Other responding firefighters used extinguishers to diminish the heavy fire, and a driver of a passing concrete truck used his water supply to help knock it down.
The driver was removed with hydraulic tools and transported by MedFlight to Massachusetts General Hospital with multiple severe burns and other injuries, but he was alive.
Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said the actions of the recipients personify the qualities of bravery and heroism.
“Guided by their training, experience, and instinct to help, each person we honor (today) used their training to serve people in their greatest hour of need,” Reidy said. “On behalf of all the state’s public safety professionals, I offer them my congratulations and gratitude for their examples of excellence.”
