Seven firefighters from New Bedford and Fall River received prestigious state recognition this year as part of Massachusetts’ annual program honoring firefighters who risk their lives to protect communities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts honored 170 firefighters statewide, according to the state’s awards program. Among those recognized were three Fall River Fire Department members who received the Medal of Valor and four New Bedford Fire Department members who earned Citations for Meritorious Conduct.
Fall River Fire Department’s Medal of Valor recipients include Captain Francis O’Reagan, Firefighter Andrew Cordeiro, and Firefighter Michael Cusick. The Medal of Valor represents one of the highest honors awarded to firefighters for acts of exceptional bravery.
New Bedford Fire Department’s Citation for Meritorious Conduct recipients are Captain Michael Dillon, Lieutenant Kyle Martin, Firefighter Paul Britto, and Firefighter Renald Russo III. This citation recognizes firefighters who demonstrate outstanding courage and skill in the line of duty.
“This year’s awards reflect selfless acts of courage and skill that saved lives, protected homes, and delivered our most vulnerable residents from danger,” said Governor Healey, according to the state announcement. “To every firefighter who puts on the gear and answers the call, you have my gratitude and the gratitude of our entire state. We are so proud to support you as you support our safety every day.”
The annual recognition program highlights the unique nature of firefighting as a profession where personnel must run toward danger while others flee. The state uses these awards to acknowledge firefighters who go above and beyond their already demanding duties to protect Massachusetts residents and property.
Both New Bedford and Fall River fire departments serve densely populated urban areas along the South Coast, where firefighters regularly respond to structure fires, medical emergencies, and other dangerous situations. The recognition of multiple personnel from both departments reflects the ongoing challenges these firefighters face in protecting their communities.
The state’s firefighter recognition program operates on an annual cycle, with nominations reviewed and awards presented each year. According to the program details, firefighters who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the deadly blaze at the Gabriel House in Fall River on July 13, 2025, will be considered for awards in next year’s cycle.
Massachusetts maintains this formal recognition system as part of its broader support for first responders across the Commonwealth. The awards ceremony serves both to honor individual acts of heroism and to highlight the ongoing contributions of fire departments throughout the state.
The seven local recipients join firefighters from departments across Massachusetts who were recognized this year for their service. The statewide total of 170 honored firefighters represents personnel from urban departments like New Bedford and Fall River as well as rural and suburban fire services throughout the Commonwealth.
Fire departments in the South Coast region face particular challenges due to the area’s mix of older residential buildings, industrial facilities, and dense population centers. The recognition of these seven firefighters underscores the daily risks faced by personnel who serve these communities.
The awards represent formal acknowledgment from the state government of the extraordinary commitment required in firefighting. While specific details of the incidents that led to these recognitions were not provided, the awards indicate that each recipient demonstrated exceptional courage and professional skill during emergency responses that protected lives and property in their respective communities.
