WEST BARNSTABLE – The Exit 5 overpass on Route 6 has been renamed in honor of local first responders.
The state has officially dedicate the bridge that carries Route 149 over the Mid-Cape highway as the “First Responders Appreciation Overpass” in a formal public ceremony Wednesday.
Representatives from several local police, fire, and EMS departments will were on hand to speaking on the services and sacrifices made by first responders across the Cape and Islands.
“All of us here today know too well, Cape Cod knows too well, the dangers that first responders accept in order to protect and serve our citizens. It is only fitting that they be recognized on a stretch of roadway, considering that it is on our state’s roads that our Police Officers, Fire Fighters, [and] EMT’s are so often called to respond to emergencies,” said Lt. Colonel Christopher Mason from the Massachusetts State Police.
During the ceremony, officials placed a flag at the site as well as unveiled a new plaque officially naming the section of roadway.
“Now we can display a sign on this bridge, for people who travel on this roadway, and visit our Commonwealth, and visit this community, to know how much we appreciate the emergency responders,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
West Barnstable Fire Chief Joe Maruca said “We need the voices of all of you to say that these kinds of deaths are no longer acceptable. While it is important that we honor and memorialize the individual firefighter who gives his or her life in service to their community, it is equally important that not let the act of honoring and memorializing conceal our responsibility for preventing future deaths.”
Also during the event, Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson led a moment of silence in honor of slain K9 Sgt. Sean Gannon who was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant in Marston’s Mills.
By JOHN BONDAREK, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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