
Local Teens Honored By State Agencies For Bravery
Three teenagers from Penobscot and Piscataquis County received honors from state officials this week for their act of bravery that saved lives earlier this month.
Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss says members of the Maine Fire Marshal's Office, the Dover Foxcroft Fire Department, and the Maine Legislature joined the teens, their families, and community members at Foxcroft Academy last Friday to honor the young men with special personalized plaques and challenge coins.
"16-year-old Colby Simmons of Dover-Foxcroft, 15-year-old Kaleb Weymouth of Charleston, and 17-year-old Robert Weymouth of Charleston, all received awards after they spotted a large fire at a home on North Stagecoach Road in the Town of Atkinson on January 1, 2025. They first banged on the doors of the residence. When no one answered, they entered a portion of the home not yet involved in fire, woke the occupants, alerted them of the emergency, and then helped them to safety."

On hand to present the young men with their Community Heroism Awards were Sergeant John Wardwell from the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office and Brian Guadet, Fire Chief for the Dover Foxcroft Fire Department.
Moss says that while fire officials typically don't encourage people to put themselves into dangerous situations, there are rare instances, when lives are at stake, when it's a necessary risk. And it's those situations, when ordinary people go above and beyond to help others, that those efforts warrant recognition.
"It is important to note that fire is deadly, claiming the lives of many people every year. We do not intend to encourage people to place themselves in harm’s way. However, in specific and often rare instances, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will present Community Heroism Awards to those whose actions are deserving."
Well done, gentlemen. Thank you for being brave.
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