By Heather Morrison
masslive.com
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A New Bedford firefighter died from a medical emergency while on duty at the fire station Thursday.
Matthew E. Forand, 45, was a father of two and had received multiple awards for rescuing people during his time as a firefighter.
“On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department and all our members, I want to express our most heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and loved ones, especially his two children,” Fire Chief Scott Kruger wrote on Facebook. “I also want to pledge the Department’s support for them in a time of sadness. This is an unspeakable loss for them, for his brother and sister firefighters, and for our community.”
Forand completed the New Bedford Firefighting Academy in 2006. In 2014, he received the Medal of Valor at the Firefighter of the Year Awards for rescuing an unconscious person from the second floor of a burning building on Dartmouth Street, according to the fire chief. In March 2023, he also received a Unit Citation as a member of Engine Co. 6 for his part in battling the Royal Crown Apartment fire.
Many people shared their condolences on social media.
“Thanks for teaching me. We had some good times in that truck. You’ll be missed, friend. We’ll take it from here,” Ryan Lemieux wrote.
“Matthew Forand is, and always will be, a hero to our community in every sense of the word. Firefighter Forand represented all that is great abour [sic] New Bedford, and may his memory be a blessing to us all,” Ian Abreu wrote.
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