Gov. Charlie Baker compared the heroics described Tuesday inside Mechanic Hall to action displayed out of Hollywood sets.
Except the characters and stories told during the 32nd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester don’t always live happily ever after, which is often the case in movies.
“We should never forget that while these stories may sound like a movie, they’re not,” Baker said. “They’re real life. And in real life, it doesn’t always end the way you hoped it would.”
At the start of the ceremony, Baker remembered a recipient from last year’s event — which occurred virtually — Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard, who died after saving another firefighter.
Bakers said he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito recently met with Menard’s family.