Canton firefighter honored at state Firefighter of the Year awards

Canton FF Jonathan Buckley (center) poses with Gov. Maura Healey and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine after receiving a Governor’s Citation for Meritorious Conduct. (CFD photo)

Canton Fire Chief Wendell Robery is proud to announce that Firefighter Jonathan Buckley was recognized at the 36th annual Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year awards ceremony for extraordinary, lifesaving actions performed while off duty.

The Firefighter of the Year awards honor firefighters whose service rises above the already high expectations of the profession. This year, Buckley received the Governor’s Citation for Meritorious Conduct, which is awarded to individuals or groups that perform with exceptional skill and courage under difficult conditions.

On March 28, while off duty in Brockton, Buckley came upon a head-on crash. He was first on scene and found a driver who was critically injured and pinned inside one of the vehicles. With no protective gear and facing heavily damaged metal and glass, Buckley removed the windshield’s weatherstripping by hand and took out a section of glass to reach the victim, who was unconscious.

Unable to reach the driver any other way, Buckley climbed onto the vehicle’s hood and began CPR. He continued lifesaving efforts until Brockton Fire and Brewster Ambulance arrived.

The victim received two units of blood during transport to the hospital via the CFD’s blood transfusion truck and survived.

“Firefighter Buckley acted without hesitation and gave this individual a chance to live,” said Chief Robery. “He relied on his training and stepped into a dangerous situation to help someone desperately in need. We are proud to see him recognized at the state level and are even prouder to have him serving the people of Canton.”

Buckley was one of two firefighters to receive an individual Citation for Meritorious Conduct at this year’s Firefighter of the Year awards ceremony, which was held last week at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Also presented at the ceremony were 10 group citations and 13 Medals of Valor. One veteran firefighter received the Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service for her work as a longtime fire safety and prevention advocate, and two groups received the Fire Marshal’s award.

“We have a saying in the fire service — you risk a little to save a little, and you risk a lot to save a lot,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “In big cities and small towns, these firefighters risked everything when lives were on the line. The physical, mental, and technical skills they bring to this demanding job are second to none, and the Firefighter of the Year awards are a small way of recognizing their singular value to our commonwealth.”

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=132944