Index

Welcome

Mission Statement

Apparatus

Arson Bureau

Fire Prevention

Fire Education

Haz-Mat Team

Dive Team

MIS Office

Fire Setters Program

Credit Union

Local # 853 IAFF

Photo Album

Fire Photos

Rescue & EMS

Communications

Training

LFD History

     Top

Lowell Fire Department

Lowell Firefighter of the Year

At the Annual Firefighters Ball held at Mt. Pleasant Country Club on November 7th, 1997. Local #853 presented its Awards for Heroism. Firefighter James Doster of Engine 1 was chosen Firefighter of the Year 1997. A brief description of the scenario that led to this award follows.

On October 8th, 1997 at 15:31 hrs. Fire Alarm received a call for a building fire at 341 Middlesex Street, which is a 10 story abandoned concrete structure that has not been occupied for the past 10 years. Only vagrants and other undesirables called this eyesore home. It had an accumulation of trash, furniture and sundry items on each and every floor plus the dubious characteristic of an open elevator shaft from ground to the tenth floor, only a piece of plywood laid sideways protected the opening of the shaft and prevented the unwary from a deadly drop. We have had several fires in this building and it was no stranger to us and all had gone well up to this point. Things changed with this fire.

The first apparatus to respond was a mere quarter of a mile away and could see the building from the apparatus runway. They immediately radioed that heavy smoke was showing from the upper floors, this was not going to be "a slap job". The first arriving companies were Engines 2,1,4 and Ladder 2. They set up operations and Engine 4's crew proceeded up into the building. On the fire floor, some partitioning had been left up thus causing the fire floor to be divided. Engine 4's crew located the fire but it had gained considerable headway and conditions became untenable. They were forced to evacuate over the aerial but Firefighter John Deutchman became lost and found himself alone behind one of these partitions. He was luckily near a window which was to his benefit when his air tank ran out. He was able to communicate and was told to stay in place that help was on the way. Engine 1's crew had gained access to the fire floor and were conducting a search when Firefighter Doster found Deutchman behind the partition and was able to remove him to safety. Firefighter Deutchman suffered second and third degree burns on his face and hands and some damage to his lungs when his air tank ran out. While this version of the incident is shortened and many details are missing. The pride that we all feel for Firefighter Doster and all the dedicated members of the fire service is no less diminished.

Firefighter Michael Janeiro, Engine 2 - Local #853 Award of Valor -

Firefighter Bernard Underwood, Engine 4 - Local #853 Award of Valor -

Firefighter Kevin McCauley, Ladder 2 - Local #853 Award of Valor -

Firefighters Janeiro and Underwood assisted in the rescue of Firefighter Deutchman from the Middlesex Street building and performed their duties with the highest of standards. Firefighter McCauley climbed Ladder 2 and hurriedly removed plywood and wire from windows on the fire floor to effect the safe exit of Engine 4's crew under extremely heavy smoke conditions.

Back to the Local #853