New Bedford, MA, Firefighter Found Dead in Station

Aug. 15, 2024
Firefighter Matthew E. Forand, 45, was found dead Thursday in New Bedford's Station 9.
A decorated New Bedford firefighter was found dead in his fire station Thursday.
 
Firefighter Matthew E. Forand, 45, who was on duty, apparently suffered an unknown medical emergency during the night.
 
Forand had been with the department since 2006, according to a statement posted on New Bedford's Facebook page.
 
He received the Medal of Valor at the 2014 Firefighter of the Year Awards for rescuing an unconscious occupant from the second floor of a burning building on Dartmouth Street. He also received a Unit Citation as a member of Engine Co. 6 for his efforts battling the Royal Crown Apartment fire in March 2023.
 
Fire Chief Scott Kruger issued a statement on the loss: "On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department and all our members, I want to express our most heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and loved ones, especially his two children. I also want to pledge the Department’s support for them in a time of sadness. This is an unspeakable loss for them, for his brother and sister firefighters, and for our community."

 

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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