Tewksbury Youths Honored For Clearing Fire Hydrants After Storm

The Tewksbury Fire Department and School Department have honored a brother and sister for their work in clearing out fire hydrants after the February blizzard.

After the snow fall of the Blizzard of 2013 (Nemo) stopped, two Virginia Road residents took to the driveways and fire hydrants of their neighborhood and began clearing snow. Alexander Sousa, age 11, and his sister Sierra Sousa, age 9, shoveled for hours according to neighbor James Duffy.

“They worked hard to shovel out their neighbors and they located and shoveled out the fire hydrant near our house” according to Duffy in an email to Tewksbury Firefighter Richard Hamm, manager of the Fire Department’s Adopt-A-Hydrant Program.

“I know the positive interaction with Police and Firefighters as kids has had a long lasting positive effect on my own kids so I appreciate anything you & the TFD can do for Alex & Sierra,” Duffy went on to say in his email.

On Friday, Feb. 15, Alexander and Seirra were presented with Certificates of Appreciation “in recognition of the generous act of helping others in the community by clearing snow from neighborhood driveways and fire hydrants after the Blizzard of 2013.”

The certificates were presented with the cooperation of School Committee Chairperson Kristen Palimeno, Ryan School Principal Kevin McIntyre, and Trahan School Principal Donna Mooney. Alexander’s 6th Grade Teacher at the Ryan School, Mrs. Charlaine Melly, allowed Chief Michael Hazel and Deputy Chief Albert Vasas to present his certificate during a break in their classroom activities. Trahan Principal Mooney and Sierra’s 4th Grade Teacher Mrs. Jennifer Cote joined Chief Hazel and Deputy Vasas for her certificate presentation.

“These are great kids and we at the Fire Department certainly appreciate the time and effort Alex and Sierra put in to help their neighbors and the community” said Chief Hazel. "There are about 1,500 fire hydrants in Town and the Water Department does a great job of maintaining them. Our Adopt-A-Hydrant Program supports that effort by engaging the community’s help in  keeping fire hydrants visible and accessible throughout the year."

Information the Adopt-A Hydrant Program can be found at the Fire Department’s website www.tewksbury.net/fire.