Tewksbury Fire Department Chief Joseph Kearns of the Tewksbury Fire Department is excited to announce that Lieutenant Robert Keddie (on right) and Captain David Carney have been selected to be honored for outstanding acts of heroism and bravery at the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony.
This event is being held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Mass. at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2022.
On September 18, 2021, the Tewksbury Fire Department responded to Saunders Circle for an automatic fire alarm activation. On arrival, there was nothing showing. Upon investigation, Capt. Carney found smoke coming from an end unit.
Lt. Keddie, without the protection of a hose line yet and with a heavy smoke condition inside, immediately entered the unit to search for the resident. Lt. Keddie located the resident, who was semi-conscious and unresponsive in the bathroom, suffering from burns to his body and airway.
Lt. Keddie began to extricate the resident and was met by Capt. Carney, who assisted in bringing him to the outside and immediately rendering medical care. Boston Med-Flight was requested and responded to airlift the patient to a Boston hospital.
The quick and decisive actions of both Lt. Keddie and Capt. Carney were major contributors to the positive outcome and recovery of this resident.
“It is my opinion that if these actions did not take place as quickly, there would have been a tragedy that day,” said Chief Kearns. He also said he is extremely proud of these two members and all the personnel who responded to this incident.
Congratulations to both TFD firefighters for this honor.
Lorna Garey
Lorna is a past and current Malden resident, U.S. Army veteran, and longtime tech and community journalist who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek. In her previous hometown she founded a hyperlocal news site, the Tewksbury Carnation.
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