Safety & Health

MA Fire Department Announces Death of Active, Veteran Fire Officer

July 21, 2019

The Worcester Fire Department issued a statement on Saturday announcing the death of a 21-year department veteran. It did not mention the cause of death.

By By Aviva Luttrell

Source MassLive.com, Springfield, Mass.

Jul. 20--A Worcester Fire lieutenant and 21-year veteran of the department died Saturday morning, the city said in a statement.

Lt. John R. Kennedy of Rescue 1 Group 2 was a longtime member of the Dive Rescue and Special Operations teams, as well as the MA State District 3 Hazmat Team, according to the Worcester Fire Department.

He was also an instructor at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow.

The department announced his death in a statement Saturday, but did not give a cause. "The thoughts and prayers of our department are with his son Sean and girlfriend Heather," the statement read. "The department has no further details at this time."

City Manager Edward M. Augustus also offered his condolences to Kennedy's family, Fire Chief Michael Lavoie and members of the department. "I ask that you keep all in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," Augustus said in the statement.

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