By Scott J. Croteau
Telegram and Gazette
UXBRIDGE, Mass. — Several area firefighters will receive awards from the state at the 22nd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards, which will take place Nov. 30 at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.
A group of Northbridge and Uxbridge firefighters will receive an award for rushing to the aid of a man and his son in Meadow Pond on Aug. 16.
Worcester Fire Capt. David M. White; lieutenants David Holmes and James Gosselin; and firefighters Anthony Genga, Gary Noel, William White and Frank Brackley; Uxbridge Fire Chief Peter Ostroskey and Uxbridge Fire Capt. Steven Tancrell all are credited with helping.
Firefighters retrieved a young boy, Youssef Hanna, 6, and his father, Sarwat Hanna, 43, who had jumped into the pond to try to save him. Both were in cardiac arrest. Mr. Hanna died, but his son was resuscitated.
In a news release, the state Department of Fire Services said there were language barriers and several people in and around the water, making it a difficult scene to manage.
Worcester Fire Lt. Jeffrey Dubeau will receive an award for his actions on May 1 while driving home from a birthday party with his 7-year-old son.
The lieutenant was on Route 9 in Shrewsbury when he saw a car out of control. The car was heading toward the busy intersection of Route 9 and Oak Street.
It appeared to be driverless. Authorities said the driver had a seizure and was slumped over to the side.
The lieutenant made sure his son was securely buckled up and maneuvered his Nissan pickup truck into the car’s path, stopping it.
A group of firefighters will be honored for their efforts as they responded to the mass destruction caused by tornadoes that touched down in the Central and Western areas of the state. The firefighters also helped out after Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm, which caused power outages and massive damage to trees.
Brimfield Acting Fire Chief Frederick Piechota Jr.; Monson Fire Chief George L. Robichard; Southbridge Fire Chief Richard J. Ciesla and Sturbridge Fire Chief Leonard E. Senecal all had their firefighters working hard during those natural disasters and will be honored.
The Norfolk Fire Department will also be honored for its work after the tornadoes. Brimfield was struck hard, and the Norfolk Fire Department gave aid to the community and planned a community meal serving 600 residents.
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