BOSTON (WHDH) – First responders and local leaders honored a Boston hero Tuesday afternoon, dedicating a new fire hose in honor of firefighter Michael Kennedy.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, along with other community officials, spoke about Kennedy and Lieutenant Ed Walsh, who were killed in 2014 while battling a raging fire in Back Bay.
Walsh and Kennedy died after becoming trapped in the basement of the burning apartment building on Beacon Street in late March, 2014.
On Tuesday, Kennedy’s mother spoke about a promise she made to her son.
“When Michael died, I was told his hose never got water in that awful fire,” Kathy Crosby-Bell said. “At Michael’s gravesite, I swore to him I would fix it.”
“It is my sincerest hope that this fire hose keeps Michael working with all of you, keeping you safe, bringing the water you call for at every fire,” Crosby-Bell said to attendees of the event in her son’s honor.
The fire in 2014 injured thirteen other firefighters.
Investigators later said the fire was sparked by welders who were working on a neighboring building.
Newly engineered hoses are stronger and tougher than previous designs.
Kennedy’s family is pushing to install the hoses at fire department departments across the state, saying they could save lives.
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