November 28, 2005

Early in the morning of June 18, 2005, these firefighters responded to the a report of a car accident.  Upon arriving, they found a vehicle on fire and severely damaged from a head on collision with a tree.  A young man remained trapped in the vehicle.  Firefighters Ryan and Young quickly knocked down the fire with an attack line.  While Firefighters Peterson and Bennett set up the Hurst Tool to assist the victim, Capt, Durkin crawled into the car and started first aid.  The door was forced open with the "Jaws" and the victim was extricated on a long back board.  The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital with two firefighters on board.  These firefighters put themselves  at extreme risk to save this young man's life.

We would like to note that due to the work of these individuals, the young man who was involved in the accident was able to join all of us that attended this event.  We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

On the evening of October 11, 2004, Firefighter Kivlan's engine company responded to a two-alarm fire at a 32-unit elderly housing building.  Entering the building with Capt. Durkin, Firefighter Kivlan found the involved unit on the first floor.  While waiting for his Captain to return with a hose line, Firefighter Kivlan heard noise from the unit and entered encountering heavy smoke and extremely high heat.  Inside, he found a semi-conscious, 95 year-old woman and pulled her out of the unit.  Back in the main hallway, he handed the victim to responding firefighters and proceeded to complete the search and extinguish the fire with his company.  Firefighter Kivlan put himself in extreme danger by entering a fire-involved unit alone, thereby giving the victim the best possible chance of survival.

On December 4, 2001 Chelmsford firefighter Marc Pare was awarded the Medal of Valor at the Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Ceremony in Boston.  Firefighter Pare received this award for his life saving ice rescue last January while off duty.  The honor awarded to him was significant for it recognized his unselfish concern for another individual.  Firefighter Pare brought honor to himself & to the whole community of Chelmsford.

It should be noted that this was the first time that any member of the Chelmsford Fire Department had been nominated or had received this distinguished award.  Fire Chief Jack Parow gave an account of Firefighter Pare's rescue as Governor Swift presented his medal.  A number of Pare's fellow firefighters and state elected officials were present at the ceremony to show their pride in his receiving this award.

It was unfortunate that there were no Chelmsford officials, elected of appointed present at this very illustrious award ceremony.