SAUGUS — Breakheart Reservation hosted a ceremony Friday morning where the members of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Fire Control Team were honored as “Hometown Heroes” by health benefits company Wellpoint through its statewide recognition program in partnership with 98.5 The Sports Hub Bruins Radio Network. The event also celebrated Smokey Bear’s birthday, which is Saturday.
The team was honored for the work they did in 2024, a year with an unprecedented number of forest fires in New England.
Among those speaking that morning was DCR’s Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino. He thanked everyone who made the event happen, as well as those who could attend. He also noted that 43 members of the fire control team were there.
“Sixty-eight DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control firefighters were on the frontlines with out municipal fire departments almost 24/7, seven days a week during the months of October and November in 2024,” Celino said. He said the entire bureau was honored to be named hometown heroes.
Celino then told the story of the 2024 fires, which spread from Maine to New Jersey. He said in Massachusetts alone, there were 660 fires burning over 4,000 acres and threatening over 700 residential homes in roughly 40 days.
“This experience was a stark reminder that the northeastern corner of our country is not immune from our national wildfire issue, which is somewhat of a growing issue if you watch the news lately,” he said.
The chief continued that the fires had been the cause of a “perfect nexus” of severe drought conditions, above-average temperatures, periods of low humidity, and continuous wind events.
“It’s a reminder of the value of specialized state resources like the DCR Fire Bureau and what they bring to the table in support of local communities struggling to manage these unplanned natural events. These state-local partnerships are steeped in tradition here in our state. We’re proud to be able to say that our Bureau, going back to 1911, has had strong connections,” Celino said.
He said the DCR fire crew all had passion and a sense of duty to serve their communities and are willing to take on challenges, risks, and stresses on the fire line and at home.
“On Nov. 18, a list of fires showed there were 20 active ongoing fires on that day — not so normal. This team being recognized here today engaged in some form or fashion to support every single one of those municipal departments impacted by all of those 20 incidents that were ongoing on Nov. 18, and then, of course, before and after that day,” he said.
“I can’t say enough how proud I was then, when the dust settled, and how proud I remained,” Celino said.
Secretary Rebecca Tepper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs spoke next, remembering the toughness of the 2024 fires through the updates she was constantly receiving.
“Every day I would get an update on how many fires were burning, how many people were out, and then I’d get calls from legislators all day,” Tepper said. “You all stuck with it the whole time, even though it just kept going, and I’m sure that it was very difficult on your families, on you personally, (and) on your communities.”
She thanked all the firefighters for their work and then shared the story of how one of her sons was inspired to become a firefighter.
“My twin boys are now 19, and they’re in college. … They were home for Thanksgiving, and one of them said to me, ‘I’m going to be a firefighter.’” Tepper asked her son why he wanted the career, and he responded, “I just see how much these guys are working and what an impact it has. And I think it’s something I can actually do, so that would make a difference.”
Tepper then said it was a privilege to get up every morning and serve the public and try to do what’s right, which is exactly what the firefighters do. She lastly thanked the chief for his fearless leadership throughout his career, and particularly through last year’s battles.
DCR’s new commissioner, Nicole LaChapelle, was there for her first public event as commissioner, stating she had spent her first three weeks touring DCR facilities and was inspired by the passion of the staff.
She then commended the firefighters for their work, saying, “Last fall’s historic fire season showcased your leadership and commitment to our forest and our parks.
“When an unprecedented number of wildfires broke out across Massachusetts, this team sprang into action to assist communities, safeguard our infrastructure, and protect our natural resources. This crew consistently demonstrated leadership, courage, and resilience as they battled fires,” LaChapelle said.
Sen. Brendan Crighton then spoke, presenting a citation to the firefighters and thanking them for their work. State Rep. Donald Wong joined Crighton, thanking the team as well.
Wellpoint General Manager David Morales was then introduced and spoke on where the idea for Hometown Heroes came from in partnership with 98.5.
“We came up with this initiative, Hometown Heroes. It’s their idea. I wanted to honor public service that seldom gets the credit for the work they do every day. I come from a family of veterans and first responders — I’m the only one who didn’t serve, and I still regret it to this day,” Morales said.
“But I serve you in my role today. And so part of this idea is to recognize people who are behind the scenes supporting everything that goes on in our daily lives to make it easier,” he said.
98.5 Account Executive Alex Kerasiotes then announced the raffle winners for Bruins tickets and a signed Brad Marchand puck, saying it was a small token of appreciation and a way for them to recognize the hard work of the team.
The event was wrapped up with a birthday cake and the song “Happy Birthday” playing as Smokey Bear cut his cake. Firefighters and those at the event then got to dig into some food and dessert to end the ceremony and celebration.
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
