A 16-year member of the Hartford Fire Department was killed on Saturday while on vacation in Costa Rica.
Lt. Martin “Matt” Dirrane died after he was struck by a car while he was on a bike.
“He was taken to a small hospital and they tried to stabilize him and ultimately sometime yesterday he succumbed to his injuries,” District Fire Chief Carol Stiles said.
Lt. Dirrane was stationed at Company 2 Ladder 5 on Sisson Avenue in Hartford, Chief Stiles said. A black bunting was hanging outside the fire house on Sunday to remember the 50-year-old.
“So the guys are struggling with it,” Chief Stiles said. “The guys and girls are struggling with it. It's tough. Nobody expected this to happen. We're just trying to get over it, the shock at this point.”
Lt. Dirrane was a great leader and officer who was in ‘tip-top’ shape, Stiles said. He was set to return to work on Monday.
Dirrane’s sister traveled to Costa Rica to bring back his body.
On Monday, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra will meet with firefighters to offer support for Dirrane's colleagues.
“We lost a man who lived his life protecting ours. However, he was dedicated to more than the safety our city, he worked tirelessly to promote its beauty by tending to the flower beds at Sisson Avenue and the Boulevard. Matt was kind and had a big heart and now Hartford’s heart has skipped a beat with this loss,” Segarra said in a statement.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
