WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester hosted the 33rd Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards Friday at Mechanics Hall, honoring first responders who went above and beyond for their communities. 

What You Need To Know

  • Worcester hosted the 33rd Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards

  • Awardees included first responders from the Berlin and Bolton fire departments, whose quick work helped save lives

  • The departments helped save two people who veered off of Interstate 495 down a 60-foot ravine

  • Despite facing several logistical challenges, they managed to clear the scene within an hour

Firefighters never know what kind of situation they might find themselves responding to, and all of this year's awardees had to be ready at a moment's notice. Many recipients put their lives on the line for emergencies that often didn't involve putting out fires. 

"It's a hard job, it's a difficult job, it's a dangerous job," said Terrence Reidy, secretary of the executive office of public safety and security.

Awardees included first responders from the Berlin and Bolton fire departments, whose quick work helped save two lives. 

On the morning of June 8, the departments responded to a crash on Interstate 495, but the vehicle and its two occupants weren't on the road; they had plunged 60 feet down a ravine and into a swamp. 

Crews from both departments worked to bring equipment down the cliff and learned both people inside were unresponsive. 

"They had to use hydraulic tools to get the vehicle open enough to get the two victims removed from the vehicle, and then there was the extrication back up the slope to the highway and the awaiting helicopter," said Berlin Fire Chief Ken Clark. "A fluid removal, it's not 'We wait and do this and this', it's fast work and it's got to be kind of orchestrated."

Despite all of those challenges, the entire incident was cleared within one hour, and both victims fully recovered from their injuries. 

For their quick response, firefighters and EMTs from both departments received a Citation for Meritorious Conduct from Gov. Charlie Baker. Clark said he's proud of his team, but for first responders, it's all in a day's work.

"You never know what you're going to be involved with out on the street," Clark said. "It's a roll of the dice every time you go, you don't know what it is. You've got to depend on your training, your experience, and your teamwork."

A full list of award winners as well as the situations they responded to can be found in this press release from the Office of Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.