Fire department, local officials celebrate new firefighters and recent promotions

On Monday, July 22, the Shrewsbury Fire Department led by Chief James Vuona, along with State Representative Hannah Kane, State Senator Michael Moore, Selectwoman Beth Casavant, Selectman James Kane and Selectman John Lebeaux, came together to honor its members for their achievements both over the course of the last year, and throughout their careers.

According to a press release from the department, Firefighter Michael Borowiec earned the department’s 2018 Outstanding Firefighter Award in recognition of his work on a variety of grant applications. He’s helped secure funding to support the purchase of new gear extractors that are specifically designed to wash gear and remove contaminants linked to occupational cancers. He’s also worked on staffing and equipment grants, as well as a HazMat Grant to support enhanced training and equipment for the department.

“Michael has played a critical role in helping us secure key funding that makes our department stronger and our firefighters -and community as a whole- safer,” Chief James Vuona said.

Deputy Chief Bruce Card was recognized with an Achievement Award for his sustained commitment to the department for nearly five decades, beginning with his days as a 15-year-old call firefighter who responded to calls on his bicycle. As the department’s first deputy chief, Card has spearheaded Shrewsbury’s fire prevention program and served as the architect of the current fire prevention program. He also served as a mentor to newly-named Deputy Chief Seth Colby. “Bruce has been a model of consistency and stability for our department for 47 years,” Chief Vuona said.

The department also presented an Achievement Award to Firefighter David Hodgerney, who is set to retire on September 15th, following 32 years of service. For more than 20 years, Firefighter Hodgerney has led the department’s Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program, founded by himself, and is the department’s first Certified Fire Public Educator.

Captain Shaun Weigold and Deputy Chief Seth Colby were formally promoted. Call Firefighters Owen Bouffard, Steven Ebers, Michael Filiere, Connor Jordan and Alex Milosz were officially welcomed as members, and firefighter Christopher White was sworn in as Shrewsbury’s newest full-time firefighter.