Matthew Ballou, a South Berwick firefighter and dispatcher for Biddeford Public Safety, dies at 32
His family and colleagues remember him for his easy smile, quick wit and professionalism.
Photos courtesy of Ballou family
Matthew Ballou, a South Berwick firefighter and Biddeford Public Safety dispatcher known for his easy smile, quick wit and professionalism, died Wednesday following a complication from surgery. He was 32.
Ballou died at home in South Berwick after suffering a medical emergency stemming from surgery he had about a month ago to repair a torn Achilles tendon, said his wife, Tiffany Ballou.
A 2006 graduate of Camden High School, Ballou was drawn to a public safety career early on, joining the Lincolnville Fire Department as a senior. He went on to attend the fire science program at Southern Maine Community College and earned his Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications. He later became a dispatcher for Knox County Communications.
Town s firefighters, EMS personnel in quarantine after 7 staff members tested positive, Chief Chris Carpenter said. Author: Beth Brogan (NEWS CENTER Maine), Gabrielle Mannino (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 1:03 PM CST January 16, 2021 Updated: 5:53 PM CST January 19, 2021
ALFRED, Maine
EDITORS NOTE: The above is from our VERIFY team on why you should keep wearing your mask after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
UPDATE, Tuesday, Jan. 19
Alfred Fire Department Chief Chris Carpenter and Alfred Fire Rescue said Tuesday that seven of the 45-person department currently have active cases of COVID-19; they are self-isolating.
Ten employees have been identified as close contacts, and are quarantining. Carpenter says they will be able to return to work as early as next week.