For the second year in a row, members of the Rockland Fire Department will be honored by the state during the annual Firefighter of the Year Awards.
It was a three-man crew who helped rescue a 30-year-old woman from a five-alarm fire on East Water Street.
Captain Jason Fricker, Firefighter Mike Tracy, and now-retired firefighter Richard Furlong, Sr. responded to the fire just after midnight on January 2nd, 2020.
That night, Fire Chief Scott Duffey said initial crews were shorthanded.
“Our ambulance was at the hospital at the time of the fire, only three personnel did show up,” said Duffey. “Initial crews made entry into the building. They pulled a victim out, along with the help of the Rockland Police Department from the second floor.”
The Police Department said Sergeant Jim Simpson and Officer Michael Byers helped with the rescue evacuating residents.
Crews were forced out of the building due to heavy fire conditions. More than 12 towns responded with mutual aid. About 20 residents were displaced, but there were no other injuries at the scene.
Rockland Selectmen Chair Mike O’Loughlin says this is the second year members of the fire department are being honored. In 2019, two people were rescued from a burning building on Division Street.
“We talk about it all the time about the public safety in our town, and how proud they make us,” said O’Loughlin.
“I’d just like to congratulate all of them and recognize the department in general for the training and allowing them the tools to have the wherewithal in that high-pressure situation. Chief Duffey, the rest of your team, and the firefighters involved – congratulations. Thank you for making us proud.”
The Firefighter of the Year Awards will held this year over a virtual format, but that date is to be announced.
A 30-year-old woman was rescued from the upper floors during a five-alarm fire at 20 East Water Street. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
