WORCESTER – Heroic actions have earned a number of firefighters from Western Massachusetts awards for bravery.

Chicopee Firefighters David Beauregard, Peter Jerusik, Michael A. Croteau and Matthew J. Turgeon; Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Hart of Wilbraham; and Robert LaFrance and Robert Pensivy of Agawam were among the recipients of the 29th annual “Firefighter of the Year” Awards conducted on Nov. 20 in Worcester.

Gov. Charlie Baker was in attendance and said, “We are incredibly proud to honor these courageous firefighters for their bravery and service to their local communities in times of danger. Massachusetts cities and towns are better places to live, work and raise a family because so many first responders selflessly answer to call to serve each and every day.”

Croteau and Turgeon were recognized for the following action: “It was a cold wintry morning on February 7 when off-duty Firefighters Michael Croteau and Matthew Turgeon were ice fishing at Nashawannuck Pond in Easthampton. Nearby, a man was pulling his young child on a sled when the man fell through the ice. Firefighters Croteau and Turgeon immediately jumped into action and were within feet of reaching the child, when he too fell into the water. Firefighter Turgeon, with no lifesaving gear, jumped into the freezing cold water and was able to pull the child to safety. A bystander helped the child, and both firefighters rescued the man out of the water. This entire rescue was completed before the Easthampton Fire Department arrived on scene from their station that is approximately 400 feet from the incident. Both the father and child were released from the hospital later that day.”

The two firefighters received one of the seven Group Awards for Meritorious Conduct.

The Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team with firefighters from Agawam and Chicopee also won a group award.

Those honored included Chief Ryan Brown, Lee FD, Chief John Zellman, Turners Falls FD, Deputy Chief David Beauregard, Chicopee FD, Captain Todd Brunelle, Turners Falls FD, Captain Steve Chandler, Amherst FD, Captain Peter Jerusik, Chicopee FD, Captain Mitch Kellar, Pittsfield FD, Captain Brian McCarthy, Turners Falls FD, Captain Daniel Piretti, Lenox FD, Captain James Pula, South Hadley D1, Captain Jason Saunders, South Hadley D1, Lieutenant Andrew Eisch, Greenfield FD, Firefighter Thomas Balardini, Dalton and Agawam FD, Firefighter Justin Bona, Great Barrington FD, Firefighter Robert Casucci, Lenox FD, Firefighter Rob Gaughran, Great Barrington FD, Firefighter Josh Healy, Pittsfield FD, Firefighter David Holmes, Amherst FD, Firefighter Sandi Krauss, Easthampton FD, Firefighter Walker Korby, Turners Falls FD, Firefighter Robert LaFrance, Agawam FD, Firefighter Scott McGinnis, Pittsfield FD, Firefighter Robert Pensivy, Agawam FD, Firefighter Lucas Perry,Dalton/Pittsfield FD, Firefighter Michael Sherman, North Adams FD, and Firefighter Daryl Springman, Northampton FD.

Their award was for a rescue at Bish Bash Falls. “On July 28, 2017, the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team began what became a five-day operation to recover the remains of a 21-year old man who had fallen from the top of 80-foot Bash Bish Falls. The effort included several agencies from both Massachusetts and New York. The victim and his girlfriend had been hiking in a remote area of Mount Washington State Forest when the man fell off and the top of waterfall and swept into a steep ravine. Initial search operations indicated that it was unlikely he had survived the fall. The MA Technical Rescue Team used high angle and swift water rescue techniques aided by a low angle rescue team from New York and underwater cameras to search for and eventually find the victim’s body. A technically complicated recovery plan that included diverting the water was made that involved permissions from many agencies, but when the family was notified of the recovery plan, they requested that no further efforts take place. All active recovery efforts were suspended. Department of Conservation staff later recovered the body after it became dislodged naturally and caught in netting.”

Hart earned An Individual Award for Meritorious Conduct for the following action: “Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Hart, returning to quarters from another incident, arrived first to find a very chaotic scene on the evening of June 29 at the Chicopee River. A woman and a child were struggling to stay afloat in the water and another adult and child were on the other side of the river, separated by the river’s current ‘vortex.’ This site has been the scene of many drowning’s through the years. Two men in a boat who had attempted to rescue the people were missing. Firefighter/Paramedic Hart commandeered a kayak from a bystander and went out into the river with no water safety equipment. Paddling into the current, he was able to rescue the mother and child. Ludlow Fire Department arrived on scene and were able to rescue the other woman and child. All four were later released from the hospital without injuries. Unfortunately, the two would-be rescuers were both found deceased, one that evening and the other three days later downstream.”