04/24/2026
OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM #26-004
Group Commendation
The following members are receiving a group commendation for their exemplary actions in
saving a life, protecting occupants and property at an early morning 3rd alarm fire on April 19th
2026 at 55 Village Way. The actions performed represent the highest degree of professional
conduct that can be expected from the fire service. Temporary Deputy Chief Brendan Sullivan is
included in this group commendation for his leadership and skill in managing the incident. A
copy of this group commendation will be placed in each employees personnel file as well as
being forwarded to the Town Administrator and Select Board. Well done and congratulations to
the courageous members of Group 2!
Engine 1 Ladder 2 Engine 4 Engine 5 Ladder 1 Engine 6 Engine3
Lt Teixeira Lt O’Connor Lt Harrington Lt Carvalho Lt Differ Lt O’Leary Capt Hopkins
FF Osterle FF Dubrow FF Von Lambsdorff FF K Harington FF Delvecchio FF Manning FF Bianchi
FF Folan FF P Buckley FF Hogan FF Hopkins FF Aufiero FF G Chin FF J Ward Jr
FF McMahon FF T Harrington FF Ross FF Luengas Guyada FF Spinale FF F Mulkern FF Oliveros
The following narrative was received from T/D/C Brendan Sullivan detailing the actions taken
that early morning:
Chief,
I respectfully submit for your consideration the following recommendation for a Group
Commendation for all fire companies who operated at the 3rd alarm fire at 55 Village Way on
April 19, 2026.
At approximately 0418 hours, a central station alarm assignment was dispatched for 55
Village Way. Shortly thereafter the full box assignment was transmitted for a report of a grease
fire in Apartment 507 with an occupant trapped on the balcony. The initial assignment consisted
of Engine 3, Engine 4, and Ladder 2, followed by Engine 5 and Ladder 1 upon confirmation of a
fire. Engine 1 was on a medical call at the time, cleared, and responded to the box.
C-3 and Ladder 2 arrived on scene to heavy smoke showing from a fifth-floor apartment
on the A side. The occupant of the apartment was trapped on the balcony with his pet dog and in
need of immediate rescue. Ladder 2 positioned the apparatus and began operations to place the
aerial to the balcony. The officer of Ladder 2 and the irons firefighter immediately entered the
building and proceeded to the fire floor. While Ladder 2’s roof and vent firefighters were setting
up the aerial, the fire apartment flashed over and fire began issuing from all windows as well as
the balcony door. The occupant was now in extreme peril and forced to crouch on the far side of
the balcony under heavy fire conditions and yelling for help. A second alarm was requested at
this time.
Engine 1 arrived and was preparing to enter the building with high-rise packs. Due to the
immediate life hazard, I ordered Engine 1 to abandon the high-rise packs, stretch a line from the
engine, and charge it immediately to operate from the ground into the fire apartment to protect
the trapped occupant. At the same time, Ladder 2’s roof and vent firefighters had positioned the
aerial and ascended to the balcony to attempt the rescue. Firefighter Paul Dubrow exited the
aerial under heavy fire conditions, shielded the occupant, and assisted him onto the aerial, where
Firefighter Thomas Harrington guided him down.
Engine 3 arrived simultaneously with Engine 1 and stretched a 2.5-inch line over Ladder
2’s aerial to assist in protecting the rescue and suppressing the fire. The combined efforts of
Engine 1 and Engine 3 controlled fire conditions enough to allow for the successful rescue of the
occupant and his dog. Both pump operators worked quickly to establish water supplies, supply
the standpipes, and charge multiple handlines in a timely manner.
Engine 5, Engine 4 and Ladder 1 arrived shortly thereafter. Ladder 1 positioned its aerial
to the adjoining balcony on the fire floor, while Engine 5 and Ladder 1 interior crews entered the
building, stretched a backup line, and began primary searches of the fire floor and the floor
above. Engine 4 stretched a line off of the standpipe to the fire apartment and assisted in final
extinguishment and then conducted searches throughout. Ladder 2’s inside team, Lt. Steve
O’Connor and Firefighter Paul Buckley, had entered the building, made their way to the fire
floor, located the fire apartment, and forced entry. They were met with heavy fire conditions and
used a dry chemical extinguisher and water can to attempt to knock down fire and support rescue
efforts. After exhausting both extinguishers, they controlled the apartment door and awaited the
arrival of Engine 4 and Boston Engine 37, who stretched lines from the standpipe and over
Ladder 1’s aerial, respectively.
Brookline Engine 5 also stretched a line via the B-side stairwell to back up operations
and check for extension. The main body of fire was ultimately knocked down by Engine 3
operating off Ladder 2’s aerial, who then made entry via the balcony.
Engine 6 responded with high-rise packs to the fire floor and conducted primary searches on
floors five and six. Search operations continued on the fire floor and above. Ladder 2, Ladder 1,
and Boston Ladder 26 conducted primary searches of adjoining apartments. During these
operations, Firefighter Paul Buckley encountered a female occupant and toddler in a smokecharged hallway and assisted them to the stairway. Firefighter Buckley used his SCBA regulator,
with the purge valve open, to provide the toddler with fresh air during removal.
Boston Fire Car 9, Engine 37, and Ladder 26 arrived on the second alarm and were
assigned to the fire floor. Engine 37 stretched a line over Ladder 1’s aerial to the adjoining
apartment and into the fire apartment, operating alongside Brookline companies. Ladder 26
assisted with primary and secondary searches, while Car 9 oversaw fire floor operations.
Cambridge Ladder 3, Division 1, and the Squad Company were assigned to the floor above,
where they conducted searches, ventilation, and checked for extension.
A third alarm was requested for additional manpower to assist with ventilation and to
complete primary and secondary searches of all apartments on floors five and six. Additional
companies from Boston, Cambridge, and Newton responded, and all companies continued
coordinated operations, including fire attack, search, and ventilation.
There is no doubt in my mind that without the quick decisive actions of all members at
this fire operating in a coordinated, aggressive, and professional manner—lives would have
certainly been lost. For these reasons, I strongly recommend all companies operating at this
incident for a Group Commendation.
