Chelsea City Council Commends Firefighter Euclides Barahona for Third‑Floor Rescue

The Chelsea City Council on Oct. 7 adopted a resolution formally commending Firefighter Euclides Barahona for rescuing three occupants from the third floor of a burning building at 132 Congress Avenue on Sept. 15, 2024.

The resolution, introduced by the council president and presented by the clerk, says Barahona “immediately deployed Tower One’s aerial to the trapped occupants,” assisted all three onto the platform and brought them safely to the ground. The council adopted the resolution by suspension of the rules with no recorded objections.

Councilors spoke in the chamber about the rescue. Councilor Sannegay said she had long known Barahona’s family and relayed a story told to her by Barahona’s mother: “I heard a lovely story about his daughter wanting to come to Chelsea and drive by the building so that she could see where papa saved the people,” she said.

Councilor Brown thanked the department and noted the danger and dedication of firefighters, saying, “You men and you women of our Chelsea fire department, you put your lives on the line every time you go into a burning house.”

The Fire Chief, speaking after the council honored Barahona, described the technical risk of the rescue: the crew had to “position Tower One’s platform through primary and secondary power lines in front of the building,” a maneuver the chief characterized as “extremely dangerous” because getting too close to a primary power line “could result in electrocution.” The chief added that Barahona’s actions successfully reached and brought the occupants down.

The council recessed briefly for photographs with Barahona and his family. The resolution text recorded the date of the incident, the address and the council’s formal commendation for “bravery, professionalism and selflessness.”