The 411 on MCC's 911 hero
Jared St. Pierre, an MCC business student, was on the phone in his apartment on Wednesday, talking with a representative from the cable company, when he heard the screams outside his window. St. Pierre looked out and saw an older man in the Pawtucket Canal, clinging to a wall, about to go under. About 100 yards down the canal lie the dangerous turbines of the Boot Hydroelectric plant.
St. Pierre immediately ended the call with the cable rep, dialed 911, and within minutes, had the emergency services of the Lowell Police, Fire, and University of Massachusetts Lowell on the scene. The man in the water was successfully rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment, where he was later released.
On Friday, MCC college leaders, along with elected officials and the emergency responders, gathered at President Carole Cowan's office to congratulate the student for getting involved and helping to make a difference.
St. Pierre tried to downplay his role, claiming he only dialed three numbers on a telephone. But Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr. said St. Pierre did exactly what he wished more people would do - he took responsibility and helped make his community safer. Ryan credited St. Pierre for not going outside and jumping into the canal to effect a rescue, because then, essentially, the first responders would have had two rescues on their hands. Lowell 911 Dispatcher Katie Ferraro was on hand to thank St. Pierre for providing the information to her so quickly and calmly. St. Pierre immediately turned the tables and credited the dispatchers for keeping things under control.
"You made a difference," said MCC Business Dean Judith Hogan. "You represent all that is good about our students at MCC, and we're proud to be here to say thank you for stepping up like you did."
Said Cowan: "We talk so much about our core commitments here on campus, and you exemplifed them by contributing back to your society. You played a critical role in saving a man's life and that's something you can never forget. A man is alive thanks to your fast thinking and willingness to do the right thing."
St. Pierre, for his part, was slightly overcome by all the adulation, but then apologized because he had to get to his next class.
From left to right, 911 Dispatcher Katie Ferraro, MCC Business Dean Judith Hogan, MCC Trustees Chair William Chemelli, MCC President Carole Cowan, Student Jared St. Pierre, MCC Dean of Students Pam Flaherty, Lowell State Representative Kevin Murphy, Stacie Hargis from Congresswoman Niki Tsongas' office, and Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr.