Dracut Fire Department Recognizes Distinguished Service In Annual Awards Ceremony

From left, Firefighter Ryan Talbot, Firefighter Chris Coalter, and retired Lt. Paul Martin stand to receive a Rescue Medal from the Dracut Fire Department. Retired Lt. Martin accepted on behalf of his son, the late Firefighter Jacob Martin, who passed away in September. Firefighters Martin, Talbot and Coalter were all recognized for working to save the life of a man who was critically injured in a vehicle crash earlier this year. The award was among the highlights of the department’s annual ceremony recognizing distinguished service to the community. (Photo Courtesy Dracut Fire Department)

DRACUT — A Rescue Medal was awarded posthumously to Firefighter Jacob Martin on Tuesday night as the Dracut Fire Department swore in new and promoted members and recognized distinguished service at an annual awards ceremony.

Firefighter Martin, who passed away on Sept. 18, was recognized along with two colleagues for their life-saving response to a serious crash that left a driver trapped in a vehicle and critically injured. The firefighters both freed the driver and started life-saving CPR during a response that led to the driver surviving. The award was one of several presented to firefighters for saving lives and rescuing those in need.

Other firefighters were sworn in, promoted, or recognized for years of service to the community in an annual awards ceremony that left standing room-only for family members and town leaders in Harvey J. Gagnon Harmony Hall.

“We gather this evening not to just hand out medals, plaques, and certificates — but to recognize the dedication, courage, and community spirit of this department,” said Chief Michael Cunha. “Over the past year, each of our members has answered the call, whether big or small: they’ve gone into burning houses, battled smoke, climbed ladders, drilled, trained, mentored, and supported one another. I could not be more proud of this department and the service they provide to our community.”

The ceremony began with the swearing in and ceremonial pinning of three new members — Firefighters William Tibbetts, Nehemiah Carter and Michael Stewart — and newly promoted Lt. Sean Russell.

Several firefighters were also recognized for years of service, most notably Deputy Chief Thomas Mackey and Lt. Mark Armstrong, who have worked with the department for more than 30 years.

Afterward, Chief Cunha began presenting awards to members who were nominated by colleagues and then recognized by an independent committee that votes on nominations.

The first award presented was the Fire Chief’s EMS Excellence Award, which was presented to Lt. Chris Leavitt. Lt. Leavitt was recognized for modernizing the department’s EMS training system, for handling all the logistics of maintaining a modern EMS program, for facilitating the professional development of other firefighters and more.

Next, Firefighter Derek Santos received a Distinguished Service Award for spearheading an effort to create an 800-square-foot gym for firefighters in the basement of the Jones Avenue Fire Station.

Chief Cunha noted that cardiac events are the leading cause of death for firefighters nationwide, and that Firefighter Santos’ efforts set a new standard for working collectively with the town administration to protect firefighter health and wellness.

Firefighter Ryan Descheneaux also received a Distinguished Service Award for leading and organizing a renovation effort with fellow union members that saw a renovated kitchen and bunk area added to the Headquarters station.

The next award was a Unit Commendation presented to six firefighters, two dispatchers, two paramedics and two EMTs for their response to a life-threatening medical emergency earlier this year.

Capt. Al Stamp, Lt. Ken McMeniman, Lt. Sean Russell, Firefighters Dylan McCarthy, William Tibbetts, and Michael Stewart, Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center Dispatchers Katherine O’Connell and John Joulvelis, Lowell General Hospital Paramedics Douglas Roberge and Benjamin Hillman, and Pridestar Trinity EMTs Kevin Gustafson and Vasilios “Billy” Krokoris were all recognized for saving the life a man experiencing cardiac arrest in a parking lot. During the incident, dispatchers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics all worked together to ensure the patient received early CPR, defibrillation, and other care that enabled him to make a full recovery.

Lt. Ken McMeniman and Firefighters Michael Petrilli and Dan Powers also received a Unit Commendation for saving the life of a woman who was in cardiac arrest. All three members worked together to provide early and effective CPR, leading to the patient’s full recovery.

The final award of the night was a Rescue Medal presented to Lt. Brian Gagnon and Firefighters Tom Joyce and Gage Brouillette. All three members provided immediate life-saving care to a woman who had been stabbed six times in the neck, chest, thigh, back and arm. The woman ultimately survived thanks to the quality and speed of the care she received from Dracut firefighters and others.

“Firefighters are humble by nature. We do not run calls seeking recognition. We run calls because that’s who we are,” said Lt. Shane O’Donnell, president of the Dracut Firefighters Union. “Often the acts of courage and service that deserve acknowledgement are the very things that we consider ‘just doing the job.’ That humility is part of what makes this profession so special, but it’s also why nights like this matter, because sometimes our brothers and sisters need to hear out loud that their actions saved lives, inspired others, and strengthened the culture that we share.”