WORCESTER — Gov. Charlie Baker shook the hands of four Lynn firefighters who were awarded citations for meritorious conduct, two of whom were also honored with medals of valor, at the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony Friday morning at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
Captain John Lynch and firefighters Thomas Lowry Jr., John Moloney and Michael O’Connor were recognized for saving the life of a man who was ready to jump from the top floor ledge of the MBTA parking lot on Jan. 6.
While Lynn Police talked to the man on the roof, Moloney, at the end of an aerial ladder, pinned the man to the railing to prevent him from jumping, while Lynch held onto Moloney to secure both of them. The group was able to forcibly lift the man up and over the railings, and he was then transported to the hospital for evaluation. Baker hung medals of valor around Lynch and Moloney’s necks for the crucial roles they played in saving the man’s life.
A gigantic American flag hung outside the Mechanics Hall building as firefighters in uniform gathered from across the region at the renaissance revival style auditorium. Firefighter pipe and drum bands from Brockton, Greater Boston and Worcester played before Boston Bruins official singer Todd Angilly kicked off the ceremony with a powerful rendition of the national anthem.
WCVB-TV Anchor Doug Meehan, the event’s host, introduced Baker, who referenced the Worcester Six – six firefighters in Worcester who lost their lives trying to evacuate squatters from a warehouse fire in 1999 – in a speech about the importance of recognizing firefighters for their service and bravery.
“At any given day, there could be the call that sends you into some place, like the Worcester Cold Storage facility where you know, walking out the door, that you’re taking your life in your hands. That’s what these people do, and they do it for us. At least once a year, we are grateful to have a chance to tell them how grateful we are for the work that they do. God bless them all,” Baker said.
When Meehan asked the four Lynn firefighters, who were seated on stage with more than 65 peers from across the region, to step forward and receive their citations, a slideshow of images depicting their rescue played on a screen behind them.
“They positioned themselves in the area with no tether and no other support. On cue, and working together, the first responders quickly secured the distressed man on the ledge,” Meehan said. “The group was able to forcibly lift the man, who was vigorously resisting at this point, up and over the railing, off the roof deck. He just secured a stretcher and transported to the hospital for evaluation. For their teamwork and life saving efforts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is proud to present these Lynn firefighters with a citation for meritorious conduct.”
In a written statement, District Fire Chief Joseph Zukas expressed Lynn Fire’s pride in the four honored firefighters.
“The Lynn Fire Department is very proud of our four members and we congratulate them on their well-deserved awards,” Zukas said.
