Chelmsford Firefighter Sacco Nominated For MA Fire Educator Of Year

CHELMSFORD, MA —Chelmsford firefighter Michelle Sacco, who is the Chelmsford Fire Department's Fire Safe Officer, has been nominated for the Massachusetts Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year award.

The award will be presented Thursday at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services' annual Fire & Life Safety Education Conference in Southbridge. Sacco is one of 14 nominees for the honor.

Sacco has been working as the department's Fire Safe Officer for over a decade, providing education about fire safety to local schools and businesses. She also has run the popular Haunted Firehouse during Fire Prevention Week.

In recent years, Sacco has expanded the programs to the local senior community.

"For over 10 years, (Sacco) has devoted herself to building, growing and nurturing a dynamic Fire Safe program in Chelmsford," Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan told Patch. "She applies her expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation of fire and life safety education in engaging people of all ages through her delivery of the Fire Safe and Senior Fire Safe programs."

Ryan continued: "(Sacco's) enthusiasm has inspired other firefighters to collaborate in the administering of fire safe messages within the schools."

Sacco told Patch that she loves her job.

"This program is about our kids and our senior community. I love having the opportunity to go out and educate about fire safety," Sacco said. "This is a group effort though, there are other members of the department who help make it possible. Without them, (the Fire Safe program) would not be where it is now."