Brockton Firefighters Complete 343-Mile Ride for Resilience

Nine members of Brockton Firefighters Local IAFF 144 recently completed a 343-mile bike ride from Fenway Park in Boston to Ground Zero in Manhattan as part of the First Responder Ride for Resilience.

The five-day ride began Sunday, September 6, with a ceremony at Fenway Park’s Gate B. The 343-mile journey honored the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, while also raising awareness of firefighter health, cancer risks, and mental wellness.

The ride also gave participating firefighters an opportunity to remember members of their own departments who have passed away. The Brockton team carried that remembrance throughout the journey, with the names of members represented on their shirts.

MassFirePics, which documented the beginning of the ride, described the event as a way to “raise awareness for firefighter health, cancer risks and mental wellness.”

On the first day, riders traveled from Boston to Marlborough, Massachusetts, with three rest stops along the route. The second stop was at Concord Fire Station 2 on Main Street, followed by a third stop at Bolton Fire Headquarters on Wattaquadock Hill Road. Riders then continued to their hotel for the evening, where they received their luggage and stored their bikes.

The Brockton team included Jake Franz, Chris O’Reilly, Victor Soto Perez, Jordan Cohen, Mike Fredricks, Amy Maloney, Andrew Merriam, Joe Sylvia, and Ray Gobbi.

Following the journey, Brockton Firefighters Local IAFF 144 wrote: “Congratulations to the 9 members of Local 144 who completed the 343 miles from Fenway Park to NYC for the First Responders Ride for Resilience.”

The Ride for Resilience offered the Brockton firefighters a chance to honor those who came before them while bringing attention to the health and wellness challenges faced by first responders. Their 343-mile journey connected the Brockton team with a larger effort to remember fallen firefighters and support those who continue to serve.