STATE

Firefighters from Fitchburg, Westboro and Worcester to be honored Tuesday

George Barnes
george.barnes@telegram.com

STOW — Massachusetts is honoring its best and bravest firefighters this week.

State Homeland Security Undersecretary Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe and state Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey will recognize heroic acts of bravery during the 30th annual Firefighter of the Year awards at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Tuesday.

The awards to be given out include the Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor, Group Meritorious Conduct, Excellence in Leadership, and the Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service.

Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy, who died Dec. 16 in a fire at 7 Lowell St. will be honored posthumously at the event. Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Fire Services, said the awards cover the period of July 1, 2018, to June 30 of this year. She said Fire Lt. Jason Menard, who died Nov. 13 in a fire in a building at 7 Stockholm St. is likely to be honored in next year's awards. 

Firefighters from Fitchburg, Westboro and Worcester, and those from the Andover, Boston, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, North Andover, Revere, Rochester, Rockland, Saugus and Sudbury fire departments will receive awards during the ceremony.