Overview:
Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early Jr. presented the Team Excellence and Merit Award to first responders who rescued two people from Queen Lake in February. The two adults had broken through the ice and were unable to extricate themselves. The rescue was completed in seven minutes, thanks to the quick action of the Phillipston, Templeton, and Athol fire and police departments. The award recognizes the quick thinking, teamwork, and dedication to public service of the first responders involved.
PHILLIPSTON – Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early Jr. was at the Phillipston fire station on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to recognize area first responders who participated in the rescue of two people at Queen Lake earlier this year.
In presenting his Team Excellence and Merit [TEAM] Award, Early said, “Quick thinking and teamwork turned what could have been a very bad situation into a relief situation in the way they acted, and acted quickly. No one does this job on their own – everyone does it together.
“The rescue was truly remarkable,” Early continued. “A bad situation could have become a lethal situation very quickly. But the quick action of all – the preparation, the professionalism, the training – all kicked in. These personnel embody the very essence of teamwork, a dedication to public service.”
Phillipston Fire Chief Jeff Parker thanked Early for recognizing all of the first responders involved.
“As you know, Phillipston Fire is staffed with only two people during the day,” he said. “Capt. John Seamon and firefighter Laurie Parker were on that day and had quite a bit to do to get there in a very short amount of time.”
He went on to thank those from the Phillipston, Templeton, and Athol fire and police departments who were involved in the rescue.
On Feb. 20, 2025, Phillipston Fire and EMS responded to reports of two adults who had broken through the ice approximately 100 feet from shore near Lambs Cove Road. One of the victims was able to use their smartwatch to call 911 and report that both were partially above the level of the ice but unable to extricate themselves.
First responders arrived on the scene and found that both adults were alert but trapped. Phillipston Fire arrived within minutes and deployed the ice rescue sled and boat. According to a release from Early’s office, two firefighters dressed in ice rescue suits tethered themselves to a vehicle on shore and entered the water with the department’s ‘banana boat.’
Rescuers were able to pull both victims from the water, remove their snowshoes and get them into the rescue sled. The rescue took about seven minutes to complete, according to the release, with assistance from mutual aid.
After being evaluated by Templeton paramedics, both victims declined transport to a local hospital.
Those first responders receiving the TEAM Award included Officer Jennifer Harding, Phillipston Police Department; Capt. John Seamon Jr., firefighter/EMT Laurie Parkier, and firefighter Cesar Franco-Uribe of the Phillipston Fire Department; Officer Noah Welch, Templeton Police Department; Firefighter/paramedic Kyle Daniels and firefighter/paramedic Andrew Francis, Templeton Fire Department; Chief Jeffrey Parker, Capt. Jamal Hamilton, Capt. Andy Soltysik, firefighter/EMT Bruce Dubrule, and firefighter/EMT Owen Anderholm, Athol Fire Department; dispatcher Ariana Deery and dispatcher Eric Baker, Templeton Regional Dispatch; and Highway Superintendent Rick Tenney and crew member Scott Boutwell, Phillipston Highway Department.