Heroism and valor: Worcester firefighters honored for lifesaving efforts

WORCESTER ― Shots ring out during the city’s annual Caribbean Festival and a man suffers a life-threatening gunshot wound to his neck.

A third-alarm fire erupts in a three-decker on Cohasset Street and a mother and her daughter are trapped on the third floor.

Heavy fire spreads across a three-building apartment complex on Outlook Drive and two residents are trapped on the third floor.

Not only did all these scary scenarios all happen in the city within the last 13 months, the five people in harm’s way were saved by the bravery and fast-thinking action of Worcester firefighters.

On Thursday in the auditorium of the new Doherty High School, the Worcester Fire Department and the City of Worcester recognized 26 firefighters for their heroism, valor and teamwork, while promoting 17 career firefighters.

Lt. Matthew Kane and Lt. John Ushinski were given awards for heroism and valor, respectively, for their actions during an Aug. 27, 2023, double shooting at Institute Park.

Both lieutenants were working a detail at the annual Caribbean Festival when they heard gunfire, followed by cries for help.

The two men rendered aid on the victim of a gunshot wound to the foot and applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding.

Another victim was found with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the neck. Ushinski provided pressure to the victim’s neck to control bleeding. Determining that the victim would likely not survive waiting for an ambulance, the lieutenant traveled in the backseat of a police cruiser with the victim while an officer rushed to the hospital.

Lt. Patrick Chviruk and firefighters Timothy Brotherton, Edwin Paulino and Patrick Flibbert, all of Engine 12; Lt. Matthew Johnson and firefighters Timothy Fontaine, Michael Berube and Matthew Foley, all of Engine 6; and Lt. Brian O’Connor and firefighters Andrejs Sterns and Dana Ford, all of Ladder 1, received unit citations for their outstanding teamwork and dedication to the city for their efforts during the third-alarm fire Nov. 12 at Cohasset Street.

Firefighter Ryan Magee, who was off-duty the night of the Cohasset Street fire, was also honored with the heroism award.

At about 8 p.m., companies from the Franklin Street Fire Station responded to a reported structure fire at 1 Cohasset St. Companies were greeted with heavy fire from the rear porches and attic of the three-decker with heavy black smoke bellowing out of several windows throughout the building.

More important, a mother and daughter needed to be rescued from a third-floor window near the front of the building.

Magee made entry through the front door to reach the trapped residents on the third floor, but the smoke was too heavy.

Magee directed the mother and daughter to remain at the window and assured them that help was coming and to remain calm. He made contact with the first-arriving crews and directed them to the residents in the window.

Crews positioned two ground ladders to stage a difficult but successful rescue of the two tenants while simultaneously knocking down the fire.

Capt. Jess Verdolino and firefighters Kyle Green, Steven Brotherton and Giuliano Conte, all of Engine 4; Capt. Patrick Moran and firefighters Sean Murphy, David Brotherton and Daniel Roy, all of Ladder 7; and Lt. Patrick Loughnane and firefighters Jordan Rutherford, Justin Poke and Jeremy Horan all received unit citations for their outstanding teamwork, for their efforts during the third-alarm fire June 4 at 52 Outlook Drive.

Companies arrived to find heavy fire venting through the roof and spreading across the three-building apartment complex. Verdolino identified two residents trapped in the rear of the building on the third floor. He determined the best option to rescue the trapped occupants was with ground ladders.

Due to raging fire and extensive heat, this was going to be an extremely difficult rescue to attempt.

After rescuing the two residents, Moran was told by one that there was still someone inside on the third floor.

The crew of Ladder 7 continued to search for potential victims, entering the structure over the same ground ladder they used to rescue the two trapped occupants. While Ladder 7 did its search, the crew of Engine 2 brought a charged hose line over the ladder to assist with making conditions in the apartment more tenable.

It was later determined that the resident they were searching for had exited the apartment earlier.

As for the promotion ceremony, Gary Arpin was formally promoted to assistant chief, Daniel O’Neil to deputy chief and Michael Papagni to district chief.

Arpin also read the three narratives during the award presentations, while Assistant Chief Adam Roche, Deputy Chief Samuel Richesson, Deputy Chief Jason Ehrets, Deputy Chief Daniel O’Neil, District Chief Timothy Ridick, District Chief Robert Judge and District Chief Thomas Harding presented awards.  

Paul Blanchard and Christopher Bishop were formally promoted to captain.

Twelve were promoted to lieutenant: Alexandria Dahlstrom, Thomas Moore, Matthew Kornn, Brian O’Connor, Angela Roy, Ryan Connor, Juan Mendez, Stephen McGurn, James Sutton, Joseph Vigliotti, Willie Pitts and John O’Malley III.

Chief Martin W. Dyer, Mayor Joseph M. Petty and City Councilor and Chair of Public Safety Kathleen Toomey all gave remarks, while City Manager Eric D. Batista gave remarks and swore in the new officers. The Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas gave the invocation and benediction.