Happening Now:
Officials are confirming a state-wide outage of the 911 system across Massachusetts. Public safety agencies are advising civilians to pull the nearest fire box in the event of an emergency.
Citizens are also encouraged to enter your neighborhood firehouse or police station.
While this incident is concerning and stressful to many, fortunately in Boston we proudly maintain the first in the nation telegraph fire dispatch system. This system has withstood the test of time and emergency since 1852 and incidents such as today’s underscore its resiliency and necessity.
Congratulations to the Dept’s newest officers. Thank you to the families and friends that supported them to get to this great day! Our “Fire” family is growing stronger with new eyes & minds stepping up to help lead. Best wishes to all!!
Local 718 extends our deepest gratitude to all who joined us at the 55th Annual Retirement Dinner last month at Florian Hall. It was a night filled with camaraderie, nostalgia, and heartfelt tributes, celebrating the distinguished careers of our 2023 retirees from the Boston Fire Department.
A special thank you to Miss Elizabeth Heyward for her stirring rendition of our National Anthem, Rev. John A. Currie for the moving invocation, and Fasano’s Catering for the delicious dinner.
We are incredibly grateful to the Executive Board, the Trustees of the Death & Welfare Fund, Florian Associates, and all our members and supporters who contributed to making this affair a success.
Here's to many more years of unity and celebration for those who retired. Until next year, stay safe and take pride in the continued legacy we continue to build!
As President Dillon said, “We wish you many happy years of retirement. This dinner party, held in your honor, is a mere token of our appreciation for your service to the Boston Fire Department and to Local 718. We are certain that in your retirement, you will continue to uphold the principles of the Union Firefighter and the Labor Movement. Fair winds and following seas.”
This year's retirees are as follows:
- FLT Leo J. Bracken, L-29
- FF Eric L. Brown, MU
- DEP Mark A. Buchanan, HQ
- FAO Anne D. Buechs, FA
- FF Daniel J. Burns, H-2
- FF Martin J. Cannata, FIU
- DFC Joseph R. Casper, HQ
- FCP Francis K. Coan, E-50
- FCP Harry W. Daniels, E-55
- FF David M. Dowd, L-16
- FF Nicholas J. Driscoll, MU
- FLT Martin J. Fernandes, E-02
- FLT Paul F. Flaherty, Academy
- FLT John A. Flowers, FP
- FCP John J. Forristall, SOC
- FF Joseph M. Graham, E-39
- FAO Lisa A. Gregorio, FA
- FF William M. Hardmon, L-28
- FF Loring K. Jacks, L-21
- FF James R. Kenney, E-50
- FF Ronald C. Majors, SOC
- FF Michael J. McManus, C-11
- FF Roy A. Mills, MU
- FLT David J. Montoya, L-19
- DFC Emmet P. Nichols, D-09
- FCP Anthony J. O'Brien, L-19
- FF William L. Post, E-05
- FF Danny D. Ryan, MU
- DFC Timothy Smith, D-12
- FLT Ronald F. Solis, E-20
- DEP Andre R. Stallworth, HQ
- DFC John Stapleton, HQ
- FF Michael J. Texeria, MU
- FF Kevin Williams, FP
While @BoeingFFs are locked out 3,000 miles away, the @IAFFofficial and Labor showed up at @Boeing’s DC-area HQ to say: It’s time for #Boeing to put #safety first! Pay fire fighters fairly for their critical work.
Boston Fire Honor Guard presenting the Colors with American Legion Post 76 Honor Guard in Jamaica Plain, which counts many Local 718 Firefighters as members. We
appreciate their commitment to our Members who served in the Armed Forces. Thx Ladder 25 for flying the American Flag.
Congratulations to our new Lieutenants and their families!! Your hard work and dedication has paid off & our FF family will benefit from good leadership. Thank you Lt. Todd Leonard & Lt. Mark Flaherty
Boston Local 718’s own John Sarro being sworn-in as the newly-elected District Vice President, District 2, of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. Congratulations to Brother Sarro and his family. No one more deserving. @LOCAL_718@THE_PFFM
At Tuesday’s game, #NHLBruins & @mastatelottery honored Deanna McDevitt as Community All-Star. She is a fourth-generation firefighter for the Boston Fire Dept. and the 1st female District Chief in the dept.
Nominate your own Community All-Star at https://t.co/w1CTsT9gKd
It was great to see all the smiling faces at the finish line today . Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the 128th Boston Marathon who helped raise awareness for important causes. A job well done you should be proud. @BAA
Great job by the Boston Fire A cappella Quartet singing our National Anthem on Opening Day at Fenway. Thanks to the awesome visual assist by Vermont and New Hampshire Air National Guard flight crews. A special day!
Boston Firefighters Local 718 regretfully shares the loss of an incredible member of our family,
Brother Captain Jack McKenna, Rescue 2, President of Local 718, Retired
Over the course of his nearly forty-year career as a Member of Local 718, Jack McKenna served as a leader, a mentor, and most importantly, a true friend. His genuine passion for not only firefighting, but most importantly, fellow Firefighters, was immediately apparent the moment you met him.
We lost a true friend yesterday.
Our thoughts are with the McKenna family and all who knew Brother Jack McKenna.
You would be hard-pressed to find a single person who genuinely cared more for our job, and more importantly, the people on our job, than Jack McKenna. @LOCAL_718 has lost a true mentor, leader, & friend. Rest easy, President McKenna.
The members of Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 extend their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the victim who tragically lost their life in yesterday morning’s fire in East Boston. Our firefighters diligently report for duty each and every day with a singular mission: to safeguard lives and protect the residents of Boston. Despite the rescue efforts that successfully saved multiple people, the loss of even one life is too many and profoundly saddening. Local 718 continues to offer our support and prayers for the victim and their family as they navigate this terrible tragedy.
Great turnout at our Boston Firefighters Local 718 Retirement Seminar today at Florian Hall. Expert professionals offering guidance to our members to help plan their well earned retirements. Thank you to our presenters for this timely advice. So beneficial.
It is always a good day when we can have promotions. Congratulations to Lieutenant John Dever and Lieutenant Ryan Kennedy all their studying and hard work has paid off job well done.
Ten years ago this morning, two men reported for work as Boston Firefighters. Ten years ago tonight, two men didn’t come home, so that others may live.
Ten years later, we continue to stand in humble awe at the sacrifice of our Brothers, Ed and Mike, and the sacrifice of the Walsh and Kennedy families. They will never be forgotten.