ORANGE — At the last Selectboard meeting, Chief James Young of the Orange Fire Department announced that several firefighters with the department have been nominated and will be awarded for their response to a deadly house fire in late 2023 at the the 35th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony that’s going to be held in Worcester on November 18.
According to a statement from Chief Young, on December 13, 2023, at approximately 11:39 p.m., the Orange Fire Department was dispatched to a residential housefire on West River Street. While en route, the responding firefighters were notified by dispatch that two occupants were trapped inside the residence. Firefighter/Paramedic Nino Rodriguez, Lieutenants Jason Rushford and Phillip Dupell, and Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Matthews were among those who responded.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered two occupants outside the residence, both who resided in the converted garage in-law apartment. One of these individuals was severely injured, covered in soot, and suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. This injured occupant informed firefighters about a third person—a non-ambulatory resident still trapped inside a first-floor bedroom. Before escaping, the injured occupant had attempted to assist the trapped resident by pulling her off a hospital-style bed and onto the floor, but had to leave due to the intense heat and smoke.
After hearing this information from police officers on arrival, Firefighter/Paramedic Nino Rodriguez immediately ascended the handicap ramp to assess whether rescue was possible. Heavy smoke and fire were venting from the doorway. Rodriguez returned to his engine, stretched the initial attack line hose, and helped establish a water supply from a hydrant approximately 100 feet away.
Meanwhile, Lieutenants Jason Rushford and Phillip Dupell, along with Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Matthews, advanced a charged hoseline up the handicap ramp, suppressing the flames as they entered the first floor. Firefighter Matthews and Lieutenant Rushford split up to cover more ground as quickly as possible in the search effort. Lieutenant Dupell stayed behind to protect the search team by holding back flames that were advancing down a hallway from the rear of the building.
Firefighter Matthews quickly located the trapped occupant and, with the assistance of all three team members, brought her outside. Once outside, they determined she was suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation but was still breathing on her own. Advanced Life Support measures were immediately initiated.
After the victim was rescued, Firefighter/Paramedic Nino Rodriguez transported the victim to a local hospital. Lieutenants Jason Rushford and Phillip Dupell, along with Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Matthews, remained on scene to assist with firefighting efforts.
Shortly after the victim’s removal, the fire spread through most of the structure, requiring interior suppression crews to withdraw and shift to defensive exterior operations. Following the transport, Rodriguez returned to the scene to assist with these suppression efforts.
The victim rescued from inside the residence was later airlifted by helicopter to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where she succumbed to her injuries several hours later. The other occupant, who had initially attempted to help and then escaped on her own, was transported to a local hospital by a mutual aid ambulance and later airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She remained in the ICU for approximately two weeks and ultimately survived her injuries.
Chief Young commended the team for their response, stating, “Each member played a role in providing the best chance of survival for the victim.” He added that “the firefighters performed a rapid removal of the victim under challenging conditions.”
The awards ceremony will take place at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, with local officials, fire department members, and families of the firefighters in attendance.
