Hero of the Week: A coat-sharing Massachusetts firefighter goes viral

If you follow my blog and social media postings of "Fireman friday" you know that I think of firefighters as heroes. Here's a story from Massachusetts where David Testa, a fireman from North Andover, unselfishly thought nothing of giving his coat to a mother and child during a snowstorm to keep them warm. He's been a fireman since 2019. He's also very humble and doesn't want any recognition, but that's what heroes do.

 (Photo:  North Andover firefighters say the act of kindness during Saturday's snowstorm illustrates the work the department does each day. Credit: North Andover Fire Department) 

A coat-sharing Massachusetts firefighter in a snowstorm

By Lindsay Shachnow, Boston Com, February 20, 2025

A local firefighter has become a mini-celebrity after an act of kindness on the job.

During the snowstorm on Saturday night, a mother and her child were in their car when it suddenly slid off the road in North Andover.

North Andover firefighters responded to the scene, where no injuries were reported.

Firefighters stood by with the woman and her child while awaiting the arrival of the tow truck and police at the intersection of Essex Street and Great Pond Road. They waited in the cold for about 30 minutes.

As heavy snow continued to fall and turned into freezing rain, firefighter David Testa offered his turnout coat to the young boy. Lieutenant Jonathan McCarthy observed the act of kindness from the firetruck and decided to capture it on his phone.

“I saw a moment of dedication and heart of what our firefighters do,” McCarthy told Boston.com. “David showed what and who we are with this.”

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(Photo: In 2019, the North Andover Fire Department welcomed FFOP (Firefighter-On-Probation) David Testa. FFOP Testa was working as a “Day Man” for five weeks participating in their in-house training program before he reported to the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow, MA for the 10 week Recruit Firefighter Training program. Credit: Borth Andover Fire Department)

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The photo posted on the department’s Facebook page has since gone viral, amassing hundreds of likes and shares.

Fire Chief John Weir said the gesture is just one example of the type of work the department does on a “daily basis.”

“We see people on usually their worst days and we just try and make it better, and that’s what I was trying to do that night,” Testa, who gave over his coat, told NBC10 Boston.

Weir said Testa “didn’t expect any fanfare” for his actions.

“He doesn’t like being in the limelight,” Weir told Boston.com. “He just tried to do what was right.”