Boston Fire Department Honors Fallen Firefighters With Brand New Fire Hoses

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — On Tuesday, the Boston Fire Department held a ceremony at Engine 33 Ladder 15 on Boylston Street to honor Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, two Boston first responders that died in the line of duty nine years ago. They did so by dedicating 99 new Snap-Tite fire hoses that are now in use at all fire apparatuses in the city.

During a wind-whipped fire in the Back Bay neighborhood, the pair of firefighters carried a fire hose into the burning apartment building only for the equipment to be faulty and nonoperational.

"When Michael died, I was told his hose never got water in that awful fire," said Kennedy's mother Kathy Crosby Bell said.

Bell called for lawmakers to use the state budget's surplus for the new hoses to be equipped in all fire departments across Massachusetts, saying it could save more lives.

"I swore to him that I would fix it. It is my sincerest hope that this fire hose keeps Michael working with all of you, keeping you safe, bringing you the water you call for at every fire," Bell said.

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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was in attendance and spoke at the ceremony introducing the new gear.

"Thank you to the family and friends of Michael Kennedy and Lieutenant Ed Walsh, the City of Boston joins you in mourning the loss of your two heroes— brave, dedicated men, who spent their lives in service of the community they loved," Wu said.

WBZ's Mike Macklin reports.

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