Easton Firefighters to be Honored for Bravery

Two Easton Firefighters will be receiving an award next week for their courageous actions during a fire last year that saved the life of an elderly resident.

Captain James Walsh and Firefighter Richard Salve will attend the annual Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year Awards at Mechanics Hall in Worcester next Tuesday.

The invitation comes a year after Salve and Walsh saved the life of Elise Circle resident Jeffrey Willis, who was found unconscious in his smoke-filled apartment Dec. 2, 2011.

After being told that someone was still in the burning building, the firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to find their way through the smoke to discover the victim lying in the kitchen. They carried him out to the front lawn.

The chief at the time, Thomas Stone, said Walsh and Salve's actions certainly saved the life of Willis.

"They began an immediate search for the victim in an extremely dangerous atmosphere," Stone told Easton Selectmen last year. "Without question they saved the victim's life."

Governor Deval Patrick, Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Secretary of Public Health and Security Mary Elizabeth Heffernan will be presenting the awards next Tuesday.

"I am honored that they were selected for this award," Fire Chief Kevin Partridge said in a letter to Selectmen.