Providence FD reacts to Worcester firefighter death

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The Worcester Fire Department is once again in a tragic situation they know all too well, with Wednesday’s death of firefighter Lt. Jason Menard.

“It was just yesterday afternoon that we were announcing memorial tributes coming this December in honor of the Worcester six, firefighter Jon Davies, firefighter Christopher Roy,” said City Manager Edward Augustus,Jr. “To have this cruel loss early this morning is almost more than one city can bear.”

Menard died fighting a fire early Wednesday morning while searching for an infant.

Providence Fire Union President Derek Silva says that as a firefighter, the risk isn’t something you focus on in the moment.

“There’s never really the thought in the incident, or in that time frame that ‘Hey we may get seriously injured here, or we may die here…'” said Silva.  “It puts it into perspective for all firefighters that – don’t take the small things for granted, make the extra effort to train, and be prepared for these incidents.”

All of the line-of-duty deaths in the Worcester department have also been during the winter.

Silva says the weather, as well as the old New England buildings, heighten the danger.

“Between the older construction, the environment – weather wise, and just the adversity they need to overcome, unfortunately sometimes takes one of our own,” he said.

Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie said Wednesday the department has had to build up resiliency over the years.

“It’s definitely taken its toll and I don’t know how much more we can take,” said Lavoie.

No word yet on funeral arrangements for Menard, but Silva says whenever it is, hundreds of Providence firefighters will be there to support the Worcester department.