Whitman Firefighter Honored for Heroic Off-Duty Rescue
Lieutenant Brian Trefry pulls woman from burning vehicle on Route 24, receives multiple citations for bravery
WHITMAN - April 29 - The Whitman Board of Selectmen honors Lieutenant Brian Trefry with a special citation recognizing his heroic actions in saving a woman from a burning vehicle while off-duty.
Lieutenant Brian Trefry of the Whitman Fire Department receives recognition for his extraordinary bravery after rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle while off-duty on Route 24 in Raynham.
During the April 29 Select Board meeting, Trefry received multiple citations acknowledging his heroism in the April 13 rescue, when he spotted smoke from a vehicle trapped in a ravine while traveling on the highway.
"Without any concern, without any hesitation, he went across the highway, tried to get into that vehicle, was able to pry open the door, and another good Samaritan was able to get that victim out of the house, out of the vehicle, with the fire coming from the engine compartment into the passenger area," says Fire Chief Tim Clancy during the presentation.
The Select Board's citation details how Trefry, upon seeing the smoke, pulled over, exited his vehicle, and made his way across both highways to reach the scene. After initially struggling to break the windows, he managed to open the door enough to pull the woman out with assistance from another passerby.
Together, they moved the woman approximately 30 feet away from the fire before Trefry returned to check if anyone else remained inside the burning vehicle.
"There's no two ways about it," the Clancy states. "As it was stated by Raynham Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita, he said, their actions certainly made a difference and may very well have saved a life. I will take that as stepfather, and their actions did save a life."
The Chief announces he has nominated Trefry for the Firefighter of the Year Award through the Department of Fire Services due to his bravery and heroism that day.
Scott Figgins, representing Local 1769, presents an additional citation on behalf of State Representative Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, who couldn't attend due to budget week at the Statehouse.
"Anyone old enough in this room knows what the video game Frogger is," Figgins remarks. "We do have video of him running across four lanes of highway, dodging several cars, and then saving a life, which is very heroic."
The citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives congratulates Lieutenant Trefry "in recognition of the heroic measures you performed while off-duty and saving the life of a woman from a burning motor vehicle."
Board Vice-Chair Dan Salvucci adds personal commendation, noting, "My son's a firefighter / paramedic, and it seems like their work is never done whether they're on duty or off duty."
Chief Clancy emphasizes that Trefry's actions exemplify how members of Whitman Fire Rescue remain committed to aiding the public regardless of whether they are on or off duty.
"This is a prime example of how the members of Whitman Fire Rescue are committed to aiding the public, whether they are on duty or off duty at any given time. And I'm very proud of Brian's action that day," he says.
Other business addressed at the meeting includes:
* The Board approves the Whitman Cultural Council's request to use the Town Hall Auditorium as an alternate location for summer concerts in case of inclement weather.
* The Whitman Veterans Council receives approval to hold the 157th Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025.
* Stephen Lanza is appointed to the Historical Commission for the remainder of a three-year term.
* A food drive benefiting the Whitman food pantry is announced for Saturday, May 10, with residents asked to leave nonperishable donations at their mailboxes by 9 a.m.
* The Board approves a Memorandum of Understanding with the Whitman Town Hall Employees Union, OPEIU, Local 6.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.