New Bedford Firefighter Forand Passes Away in the Line of Duty

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford firefighter passed away in the line of duty, Fire Chief Scott Kruger announced Thursday.

“It is with great sadness that I must report the line of duty death of New Bedford Firefighter Matthew E. Forand,” Kruger said. “Preliminary information suggests that Matt suffered a medical emergency and passed away during the night while on duty at Fire Station 9.”

Forand, 45, was most recently assigned to Engine Co. 9 and Kruger said he was “recognized repeatedly for his commitment to the residents of New Bedford.”

Forand received the Medal of Valor at the 2014 Firefighter of the Year Awards for rescuing an unconscious occupant from the second floor of a burning building on Dartmouth Street.

He also received a Unit Citation as a member of Engine Co. 6 for his efforts battling the Royal Crown lodging house fire in March 2023.

He had completed the New Bedford Firefighters Academy back in 2006.

“On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department and all our members, I want to express our most heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and loved ones, especially his two children,” Kruger said. “I also want to pledge the Department’s support for them in a time of sadness. This is an unspeakable loss for them, for his brother and sister firefighters, and for our community.”

“Matt Forland was an exemplary firefighter, thoroughly committed to serve the residents of the city he loved,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “His untimely death is deeply saddening to all who loved and served with him. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and his fellow firefighters.”

Kruger said an announcement will be made regarding Forand’s services when the information becomes available.

“We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time,” he said.