Recognized were L-R are FF Matt Perry, Chief Ed Harvey, Deputy Chief Tom Ackley, FF Derek Daudelin, Chief’s Side Pat Lombardo, FF John Carrington, & FF Sam Epstein. (Photo submitted)
BLANDFORD – On Monday, Jan. 28, the Blandford Board of Selectmen presented a proclamation to members of the Blandford Fire and Rescue team. The board chair, Cara Letendre expressed the town’s appreciation for the team’s bravery and courageous sacrifice to protect life and property of the citizens.
The recognition was for their response to a chimney fire at 77 Main Street shortly before midnight on Jan. 20. “They were able to put out the fire with no injuries in sub-zero temperature,” explained Blandford interim town administrator Joshua Garcia.
During the presentation, Letendre commended Fire Chief Ed Harvey, Deputy Fire Chief Tom Ackley, Chief’s Aide Pat Lombardo, Fire Fighter Derek Daudelin, Fire Fighter John Carrington, Fire Fighter Sam Epstein, and Fire Fighter Matt Perry for their brave and courage’s sacrifice that day and every day. Letendre urged all citizens to render all due support to honor the Blandford Fire and Rescue team for their ongoing commitment to protect the life and property of residents at the Town of Blandford.
“I am very proud of our crew who, with good teamwork, was able to minimize damage while being able to address the fire conditions,” said Fire Chief Ed Harvey. Harvey also extended his gratitude to the Fire Departments in the neighboring Towns of Otis, Monterey, Russell, and Hinsdale for mutual aid support during the Jan. 20 fire. “Thank you to our mutual aid partners who responded that night and helped with rescue and fire suppression,” Harvey said.
The full proclamation read as follows:
“Whereas, on January 20TH, 2019 before midnight, Blandford Fire and Rescue were called to a home located at 77 Main Street; and
Whereas, the Blandford Fire and Rescue team responded during below sub-zero temperatures and deployed a hose line to the door; and
Whereas, the Blandford Fire and Rescue team entered the home to find a heavy smoke condition in the dining room coming from the brick wall behind the wood stove; and
Whereas, the conditions forced crews to take the wall down where the fire was found and extinguished with two 5 gallon water extinguishers to minimize water damage; and
Whereas, the Blandford Fire and Rescue team were able to safely extinguish the fire and save the property; and
Whereas, the owner/s of the property were able to reoccupy their home; and
Whereas, on behalf of the Town of Blandford, we express our sincere appreciation to the Blandford Fire and Rescue team for their brave and courageous sacrifice on January 20th; and
Now, therefore, we, the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Blandford, do hereby recognize and commend the Blandford Fire and Rescue team for their ultimate sacrifice on that day and every day, and urge all citizens to render all due support to honor the Blandford Fire & Rescue team for their ongoing commitment to protect the life and property of residents at the Town of Blandford.”
