PITTSFIELD, Mass. — First-responders from around the region paid their respects to retired Deputy Fire Chief Michael Polidoro on Wednesday with a procession of vehicles and lights. 

 

Polidoro retired in 2017 after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

 

Beginning around 10 a.m., first-responders lined up on Polidoro's street to pass his house and show support for their former colleague and forever friend. Polidoro sat outside of his home to watch, socially distanced and masked with friends and family.

 

Participants included multiple Pittsfield fire engines, the Police Department, firefighters and vehicles from Lanesborough, Lee, and New Ashford, Action EMS, and friends in personal vehicles.

 

"There are many things I could say about Deputy Chief Mike Polidoro," Fire Chief Thomas Sammons said. "First off, he is a firemen's fireman. Professional, knowledgeable, and a mentor to all of us growing up in the Fire Department — not just in Pittsfield but throughout the fire service. He has always been a teacher and most calls turned into a teaching moment. We learned teamwork as it applied to the fire service and his confidence on the fireground brought calm to any call. I am fortunate to have learned from him and to call him a friend."

 

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Noyes said the procession started out as a small gesture for the ailing firefighter and was met with overwhelming support from other departments.

 

Leading the procession was Engine 6, which was dedicated to Polidoro in 2019.

 

Engine 6 now sports gold lettering that reads "Poly's Pride" above the windshield. Polidoro worked on the design of this engine, developed the evaluation criteria, went to build and approval meetings, and trained firefighters on it when it was delivered in April 2016.

 

That dedication had reportedly been two years in the making as Polidoro opted to not have a retirement party and his colleagues felt they needed to do something to recognize him.

 

Polidoro served in the department for 28 years, and continued help out when possible. He'd been a member of the region's hazardous materials team and had spent time at the World Trade Center during recovery operations after the Sept. 11 attackes and volunteered in the aftermath of other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina. 

 

After being diagnosed with ALS, he teamed up with Lee Police Chief Jeffery Roosa, who also has ALS and retired earlier this year, to raise funds and awareness of the disease through  "Arrest and Extinguish ALS" events. An event in 2019 in Lenox raised $50,000.