Braintree Firefighter Honored For Saving 3 From Weymouth Fire

BRAINTREE, MA — Braintree Firefighter Jackie Giacchetti couldn’t have started her career in a more impactful way than the way the did in July.

At Tuesday night's town council meeting, Braintree’s newest firefighter was honored with the Firemark Award from Liberty Mutual for her role in rescuing three people from a July fire in Weymouth. While on her way back from an obstacle course test, Giacchetti saw smoke coming from a nail salon on Washington Street in Weymouth. She proceeded to rush into the building, save two people, and an additional person in a nearby home.

“If this is any indication of what she’s going to bring to the table, she’s going to have a hell of a career,” Fire Chief James O’Brien said.

Mayor Joseph Sullivan called the response an example of the way the community wants their firefighters to respond - thinking of others and stepping up when they need to step up.

“The chief called me and said 'you’re not going to believe this' when the story broke. I think the both of us not only believe it but understood that you’re going to be a valuable member of our department,” Sullivan said.

Giacchetti said she was honored by the award.

“It is our duty to save lives, protect property and the environment from fire. It takes courage to confront fear, pain, or danger. It takes loyalty, respect, and compassion,” she said. “What happened that afternoon was heartbreaking. For such a fast-moving fire I do not know what would have happened if I didn’t do what I did.”

With the award, Giacchetti is in the running for $10,000 to be given to the fire department.

Image: File Photo