Orleans Firefighters Recognized, Sworn In During Ceremony

ORLEANS – On Dec. 22, Jason Quinn was working on a front end loader on Overland Way when a hydraulic line broke, pinning him under the vehicle’s bucket.

Firefighters and police quickly responded and were able to save Quinn’s life. But the response started with Shannon Filteau, who heard Quinn’s yells for help and called 911.

“Without her actions in calling 911, we probably never would have heard from this poor guy again,” Orleans Fire Chief Geof Deering said during an award ceremony hosted by the fire department Monday night in the Nauset Room of town hall.

Filteau and the first responders who aided Quinn that night, including Orleans Fire Capt. Thomas Pellegrino, Fire Lt. Aaron Burns, Firefighter Gabby Parker and Officer Neill Bohlin of the Brewster Police Department, were given commendations for meritorious conduct during the ceremony.

Those involved in a separate response to a man who fell into Rock Harbor on Jan. 10 also were recognized. They include Deputy Chief Sean Diamond, Sgt. William Norton, Officer Benjamin Dedinas and Officer Christopher Jurkowski of the Orleans Police Department, as well as civilian Kaleigh Powell.

Promotions were also given Monday night to Thomas Pellegrino and Dana Medeiros. Pellegrino was promoted to captain and Medeiros to lieutenant.

Firefighters Ian Mack, Hayden Boucher, Jacob Ferro, Kenyon Keyes, Jessica Kimball, Eryn Meinhardt-Donohoe and Max Nichols were all sworn in to the department during Monday night’s ceremony. Mack and Firefighter Jonathan Georges were also recognized for their successful completion of their probationary periods.

The ceremony concluded with years of service recognitions for Medeiros and Firefighter Steven Thomas (25 years), Pellegrino and firefighters Matthew Andre and Ryan McGrath (20 years), Lts. Aaron Burns and Doug Edmunds (15 years), Firefighter Brandon Henderson (10 years) and Firefighter Ben Nickerson (five years).

Email Ryan Bray at ryan@capecodchronicle.com