Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025.
Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026 Operational Excellence Award, or OPEX, during a ceremony June 11 at the Groton firehouse.
“This should be a reminder that our firefighters do not just run into danger, they bring order, safety and hope to people on the worst nights of their lives,” said William Greenwood, EB’s manager of fire and emergency preparedness, who recounted the men’s heroics.
The first call came on a Saturday night in July: A fire in a large apartment complex on Union Street in New London. When the crew of EB fire engine D-12 arrived, firefighters including Gugliotti and Keaten were assigned to the third floor to search for victims. As they climbed the stairs through dense, acrid smoke, a panicked mother holding a baby fled past down the stairs.
Seconds later, a loud thud echoed through the smoky stairwell, followed by a desperate cry for help. The mother had fallen and the baby had struck its head against the wall. Gugliotti gathered the baby while Keaten got the mother back on her feet and guided her to safety. Both mother and baby were transported safely to L&M Hospital.
The second call came in October, just as the crew was preparing dinner before the end of their day shift. This time, a multi-family apartment on Broad Street Extension in Groton was burning and there were reports of people trapped inside. Upon arrival, the EB fire engine crew of D-12 were met with heavy smoke pouring from the building and an elderly woman clinging desperately to a third-floor balcony.
As the crew worked to free the woman, the balcony’s railing collapsed, pinning Bartkoski’s hand against the rescue ladder. The crew synchronized, freed Bartkoski and managed to bring the woman down the ladder to safety. Almost immediately they spotted a different couple trapped on an upper balcony on the opposite side of building. Gugliotti and Brady grabbed a ladder and safely evacuated both.
Ten cats and a dog were also rescued from the smoke and fire.
During Thursday’s ceremony, EB Director of Security David Konicki told the gathered firefighters that their work was deeply valued by Electric Boat and its leadership. He said they’ll soon see significant additional investments in personnel, equipment and training.
EB Fire Chief Mark Sicuso said the department’s men and women reflect a culture of competence, compassion and commitment — to each other and the community. “They don’t ask for applause,” he said.
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