A veteran firefighter who nearly died fighting a triple-decker fire two years ago was promoted to the rank of battalion chief, ending a year-long legal battle.
Joseph Fontaine was promoted in a ceremony Thursday, pinned by his wife in front of his friends and family.
"I almost died to get to where I am," Fontaine said. "So I'll take it as a blessing and one of the greatest days of my life to get promoted."
Two years ago, Fontaine was placed in a medically induced coma. He was suffering from cyanide poisoning after battling a wind-swept fire on Eaton Street and was one of the 21 firefighters injured battling the fire.