Firefighter who Helped Saved Man after Boat Crash to be Commended

The Portsmouth Town Council tonight will issue a commendation to the Portsmouth Fire Department's Lt. Dan Smith on Monday in recognition of his actions during two consecutive rescues last month, including one involving a man who had fallen overboard after a crash.

Smith, along with Firefighters Alden Brown, Brian Baker and Andrew Jones, responded to the area northwest of Patience Island to help search for a man who had had fallen overboard and was missing. Unfortunately that man, from West Warwick, was found eventually found dead.

But on their way back to Carnegie Abbey Marina, they heard a call for help on the radio and soon were responding to a boat crash where they promptly treated four people for injuries and pulled a man from the water, transporting them to shore and to the hospital in less than an hour after the first call.

"Lt. Smith's performance exceeded already high expectations as he and his fellow firefighters assisted in stabilizing a highly stressful and chaotic situation," the commendation reads. "His rescue efforts prevented further injuries and very likely prevented fatalities."