DOUGLAS — More than 20 first responders and town employees were recognized this week for rescuing an injured man who became lost in the woods over the summer.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. presented the group with his office’s Team Excellence and Merit (TEAM) Award for their response on July 18. The honor went to members of the Douglas Police and Fire departments, along with firefighters from Webster and Uxbridge and staff from the Douglas Highway Department.
Authorities said the man called 911 after he was hurt while cutting through the woods near Woodland Road to get home. Dispatchers used his cellphone coordinates to narrow the search area, and rescuers located him about 500 feet off the road after calling out into the dense brush.
Within roughly 50 minutes, crews reached the man, provided medical care and created a path through the woods to bring him out. He had been exposed to summer heat for more than two hours, according to information from the district attorney’s office.
A medical helicopter was called in to take him to a hospital. Douglas firefighters transported him by ambulance to a nearby landing zone secured by Uxbridge fire personnel, where the man was then airlifted for further treatment.
Early said the response showed how police, fire, dispatchers and highway workers adapted quickly to a difficult situation. The TEAM Award was created in 2019 to highlight public safety employees who go “above and beyond the call of duty,” according to the announcement.
The Douglas Fire Department noted in the release that hikers should stay on marked trails, prepare for conditions and carry essentials such as water, proper footwear and a charged cellphone.
Douglas Police Chief Nick Miglionico said the rescue demonstrated “public safety and town personnel working hand in hand” to complete a critical task.
Anyone wishing to nominate emergency responders for a future award can contact the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at 508-755-8601.
The TEAM Award honorees included: Douglas Police Sgt. Aaron McLaughlin, Officer Adam Wright and Dispatcher Delanie Laflamme; Douglas Fire Chief John Furno, Deputy Chief Kelly Manning, Lt. Anthony Worster, Firefighter/EMTs Devon Jackson and Finley Luippold, Paramedic Stephannie Lacasse, Firefighter Patrick Burgess and Support/Logistics Benjamin Tusino; Webster Deputy Chief Jared Morse and Firefighters David Moreira and Brian Turcotte; Uxbridge Lt. Keith Harper and Firefighters Stephanie Benoit and Scott Brown; Douglas Highway Department employees Joshua Pope, Nathan Boulanger and Samuel Sansoucy.
