State to award annual Mass. firefighter honors

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Two Massachusetts firefighters who died last December will receive posthumous medals of honor from the state.  

Peabody firefighter James Rice died after breathing toxic fumes while fighting a three-alarm fire.  Worcester firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr. died after a burning building collapsed on him. Davies had gone back into the building after a report someone might be inside.  

State officials will bestow the honors Tuesday at Mechanics Hall in Worcester as part of the annual Firefighter of the Year awards. The awards recognize acts of bravery and excellence in fire service, and honors will go to Massachusetts firefighters from 14 jurisdictions.  

Worcester Polytechnic Institute also will be recognized for research projects involving firefighter safety.