Burlington Fire Department News

Burlington Firefighters Receive Group Merit Award

Firefighters' bravery recognized
By John Ciampa/ CNC Staff Writer

Originally Published in Burlington Times Union
Thursday, November 3, 2005

Think back to the morning of New Year's Day 2005 and you were probably sleeping in, recovering from the previous night's festivities or getting ready for some football.

     But chances are that before you awoke, 12 firefighters of the Burlington Fire Department's Group 2 had already saved a life.

     Only hours after ringing in the New Year, the 12 responded to a different kind of claxon when a fire was reported at a house on Stony Brook Road .

Click here for photos of the ceremony

     Outside the home, residents said an elderly male remained trapped inside. A pair of search and rescue teams entered the home while fellow firefighters secured their egress from the building.

     Then the situation got dicey.

     "It was a difficult fire with extreme heat," said Capt. Kevin Browne. "There's was a propane tank venting and some electrical wires had fallen (across the main hose protecting firefighters) inside the home."

     Eventually, they reached 89-year-old Stanley Cooper, who was suffering from the heat and smoke inhalation. After removing him, they returned to extinguish the fire.

     For their efforts, they received a Meritorious Group award Friday during the Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Awards Ceremony at Faneuil Hall.

     "It was a great ceremony and I was just very proud to be there with the other guys," said Browne.

     Presenting the award was Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, along with Secretary of Public Safety Edward Flynn, who acknowledged Group 2 amid a packed hall of applauding family, friends and fellow firefighters honored from around the commonwealth.

     The stirring ceremony featured processions by the Worcester and Boston Gaelic Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums units, along with remarks from the governor.

     "These men and women show us that it is not about being larger than life, but about being larger than his or herself," said Romney. "You are great lights of example to this commonwealth."

     After the ceremony, Browne, as was common among the many firefighters in attendance, deflected any praise.

     "It's nice to be recognized," he said, "but anybody in this department would have done the same. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Click Here For Burlington Fire Department News:

             December 1, 2005  Burlington Fire Fighters rescue window washer from 5th floor.

             October 28, 2005 Burlington Firefighters receive group merit award for January 1st fire.

             October 15, 2005 Burlington Fire Fighters hold open house at Headquarters.

             October   7, 2005  Newest member of Burlington Fire Graduates from Academy.