The annual Firefighter of the Year Award ceremony was held Monday, with a Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard.
He died during a house fire Nov. 13, 2019, after helping another firefighter escape the flames, an act of uncommon bravery that merits the high honor, according to state fire officials.
The annual award ceremony, usually at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, was held virtually this year. Menard s family, Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Worcester fire and community officials were at a Worcester fire station. Today is a day to remember what a firefighter chooses to do, Polito said. Clearly a firefighter is born with.just brave.