Massachusetts UPS Driver Receives Citation for Putting Out Fire

He heroically put out a fire on the front porch of a Haverhill, Mass., home earlier this month as he finished up his UPS delivery route.

His quick action attracted national media attention.

And on April 25, Paul Pereira was thanked for his selfless effort by Haverhill Fire Chief William Laliberty and the Haverhill City Council.

Dressed in a blue Teamsters pullover, Pereira stood before the councilors, many of whom he delivers packages to on his route, and shook Laliberty's hand as he was presented with a Citizen Appreciation Award from the Haverhill Fire Department, recognizing him for his efforts just before 8 p.m. on April 10.

UPS ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.

Laliberty told the council Pereira saw burning furniture on porch of the home, located on 18 Hamilton Ave. He then grabbed a garden hose from a nearby home and extinguished the blaze.

Video obtained by a neighbor shows Pereira racing onto the steps of the home of a city couple, Tracy and Brian Lavender, to put out the fire. Pereira's heroics led to a segment on the CBS News program "Inside Edition," in which the Lavenders thanked him for stopping the fire's spread.

"When I first spotted it, it was small," recollected Pereira with a smile to the council.

Police said on the day of the fire that Pereira continued upon his delivery route after putting out the fire, his final route of the day.

"You recognized a dangerous situation and without any thought to your personal safety, prevented a porch fire from extending into a dwelling," said Laliberty in presenting Pereira with the award.

In addition to serving the community, Laliberty said Pereira delivers packages to City Hall and the fire department.

Members of the city council were effusive in their praise for Pereira, with Mary Ellen Daly O'Brien saying news of his actions "restores the faith in human beings."

"A lot of people might have driven by and gone 'oh my gosh,' or maybe they'd have dialed 911," said Daly O'Brien. "But to have you run right in, without a thought about yourself ... it's really inspiring."

Councilor Michael McGonagle referred to Pereira as a "downtown monument" for his tireless work dropping off packages to downtown businesses.

"In this society, there are so many times when people can get involved and should get involved, but for some reason they don't," said McGonagle." I know you take great pride in the work you do and watching out for things throughout the downtown since I've known you. It was no surprise to see you."

"This is what America is all about," chimed Councilor Joseph Bevilacqua. "People helping people when it’s not expected."

Councilor Andy Vargas told Pereira's children that they "have a really cool dad" and commended him for his "tremendous act of selflessness."

Referring to the 1.7 million Facebook views the aforementioned video of the UPS driver's heroics received, Vargas also thanked Pereira for "putting Haverhill on the map for a good reason."

"You really expanded the definition of 'What can brown do for you,'" Vargas said, a quick pun on the UPS's famous tagline.

Pereira, a Somerville native who lives in Manchester, N.H., has been delivering packages in Haverhill for more than a decade.

After receiving the citation, he called it a "humbling" experience.

"I didn't expect anything," said Pereira, who was accompanied by his children Jonathan and Angelica and one of his daughter's friends. "I've always thought it's an honor to receive a citation from your local fire department."

Jonathan Pereira, 15, said it was "super cool" seeing his father recognized by the leaders of the city he speaks so highly of.

"He has nothing but good things to say about Haverhill," said Jonathan Pereira of his father. "His work means a lot to him."

"The fact that he took time out of his job that made a difference in someone else's life ... he's a people person who's always looking to make a difference for his fellow man," said Laliberty.