Worcester to dedicate new firefighter memorial on Sunday

Since 1999, the city has lost nine firefighters who died while battling blazes and one who died after fighting a fire

Tom Matthews
masslive.com

WORCESTER, Mass. — The city of Worcester will be dedicating the new Fallen Firefighters Memorial at Institute Park on Sunday.

The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Worcester Fire Department Headquarters at 141 Grove St.

Fallen Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy was remembered on Dec. 9, 2019, the first anniversary of his line-of-duty death. A memorial was unveiled outside the Webster Square Fire station. (Photo/Melissa Hanson/Tribune News Service)

“The ceremony will include the dedication of a new walkway that stretches from the memorial into Institute Park, allowing visitors to enjoy scenic vistas as they cross over a short bridge and stroll along the walkway,” a news release stated.

City officials will also be celebrating the completion of the renovation of O’Connell Field, which features a new synthetic field for football, lacrosse and field hockey.

Since 1999, the city has suffered the loss of nine firefighters who all died while battling blazes. The department also suffered another line of duty death in July 2019 when Lt. John Kennedy died after fighting a fire.

In September, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. submitted to the City Council a 248-page report that examined all aspects of the Worcester Fire Department, including how it can better prevent line-of-duty deaths.

The consulting company that conducted the report began its research in August of 2020 and provided the city with 10 recommendations to improve the department that range from a complete overhaul of leadership to improved support service staffing.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service