A three-year member of the Tiverton Fire Department has been named the town's Firefighter of the Year by the Tiverton Lions Club.

Nicholas Barboza, 26, was honored at a Lions Club meeting earlier this month. He joined the department in 2019, and has steadily progressed and become an indispensable part of the department, Lions Club members said.

Added fire department Captain Craig Committo late last week, "he's always moving forward."

"He's only been here for a couple of years, but Nick has made tremendous strides as far as what he has learned," Committo said. "His attitude around the station and his work ethic ... it's like he never says 'No.' He always just steps up to the plate to help out."

The following is the write-up prepared by the Lions Club when it presented Barboza with his award:

"Nicholas Barboza joined the Tiverton Fire Department in November of 2019. He was 24 years old with very little experience in the fire service. He was an EMT Basic who was working towards his EMT Cardiac certification (which is a very difficult and demanding certification to get). He persevered and finally obtained the certification. As one of his responsibilities, he now cares for the sick and injured at an advanced level of care.

Because of his positive attitude, Nick immediately fit in with the staff in the department. He is always positive even when the day or the call does not go the way he thinks it should go, or the outcome is not the most desirable. 

Nick is a “glass half full” kind of guy. He is always willing to step up and help out with anything. If you received a Covid vaccine shot at one of the many vaccine clinics that was held here in Tiverton, you more than likely saw Nick. Nick was there at nearly every vaccine clinic and “test kit distribution event” and always with that same positive attitude.

Nick is always helping out around the station, going above and beyond to better the station, help another firefighter out or just keep busy. When Nick is not busy with any of those things, he is trying to learn something new or better his skills. If there is a new guy working, he is always stepping up to teach what he knows and assist however he can.

Last year, Nick completed a Rescue swimmer class. This is a very demanding class that teaches all aspects of water rescue. He is now one of seven rescue swimmers in the department.

His willingness to help wherever and whenever needed and his commitment to the fire service and more importantly, to the Tiverton Fire Department and the Town of Tiverton are the reasons why ... it is our pleasure to recognize (him as) the 2022 Firefighter of the Year for the Tiverton Fire Department.