Firefighter Of The Year Named In Nashua

NASHUA, NH — Nashua Fire Rescue has officially named its Firefighter of the Year.

During the ceremony, which took place Saturday, Steven Phillips — wo has served the department since 2007 — was presented with the 2024 VFW Post 483 Loyalty Day Firefighter of the Year Award at the Nashua Senior Center.

Phillips was honored with a speech by Chief of Department Steve M. Buxton that highlighted his "contagious enthusiasm for [the] work, a maturity to navigate the organization and find his place within it, as well as a vast range of technical skills, especially in the area of building construction."

A "very humble and extremely generous" person who "takes great pride in being able to assist those in need," Phillips has served on both the SMART Hazmat Team and Dive Team for many years and is assigned to Engine and Ladder Company 2 at the Lake Street Community Fire Station, according to Buxton.

Since 2019, he has also served as president of the Nashua Firemen’s Relief Association.

Through it all, Phillips and his family are "consistently engaged in the community," opening their home to foster children with an emergency need for placement and exchange students, Buxton added.

"Steven is an exemplary firefighter; a leader within our organization and our community," according to Buxton. "But most importantly, Steven is an individual who each day works to make a difference in the lives of others whether he is in uniform or not."