Dennis E. Mathieu’s 27 Years of Fire Service Were Remembered

Fall River, MA — October 6 — In honor of Dennis E.Mathieu, a distinguished member of Engine 5, the Fall River firefighters recalled his legacy as a veteran who dedicated over 27 years to the department before succumbing to occupational cancer in 2009.

Mathieu was 59 years old. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and dedicated much of his career to serving the Fall River community. His service was recognized by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, which listed him among the department’s line-of-duty deaths.

Mathieu dedicated over 27 years of his professional life to the department, where he served as a firefighter stationed at Engine 5. In this capacity, he responded to emergency calls and collaborated closely with his fellow department members.

His demise from lung cancer was officially classified as a line-of-duty death, highlighting the persistent and grave occupational hazard of cancer among firefighters. These first responders confront continuous exposure to toxic materials and carcinogenic agents during both routine operations and emergency interventions, underscoring the critical need to address this enduring threat to their health.

Under Massachusetts legislation, specific malignancies were designated as potentially service-connected for qualified firefighters, thereby acknowledging the inherent occupational hazards linked to the profession. Mathieu's legacy is defined by his distinguished military career, his prolonged tenure with the fire department, and his unwavering dedication to the community. In an enduring tribute, the Fall River Firefighters persisted in commemorating his legacy while simultaneously acknowledging the profound service rendered by those comrades who sacrificed their lives to occupational illness.