Medford FD Remembers Ron Bazoge

It was 11:34 p.m. on Jan. 21, 1982 when the Medford Fire Department was dispatched to a fire at 7 Cody Lane. Ronald Bazoge, a nearly 10-year veteran fire fighter answered the alarm at just after midnight. It would be his last.

Bazoge, who died in the line of duty on Jan. 22, 1982, was honored at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of his death at the Medford Fire Department on Sunday.

“We’re here not to necessarily mourn, not to grieve, but to remember that life and the impact it had on us and the members that were here at that time,” former Fire Chief James Dowd said.

Along with Dowd, firefighter Richard Coleman recounted the career highlights of Bazoge and former colleague and friend Michael Cicero spoke glowingly about Bazoge during the ceremony that ended with the unveiling of a plaque honoring Bazoge.

Bazoge applied for membership into the Medford Fire Department in January, 1972. It was at the beginning of July when he was sworn in and entered the department. From there he was elected to the position of second lieutenant in 1978.

“From the days of fighting fire together to the night he answered his last alarm I will always remember Ronnie as being the truest best friend and brother fireman a guy could have,” Cicero said.

A surprise speaker, former police officer Paul D. Failla – the man who drove Bazoge to the hospital on the fateful night of his passing - recounted the story and his interactions with great detail.

“My career spanned 27 years and I have many memorable thoughts in my head of those 27 years,” Failla said. “But my two encounters with Ron Bazoge are very vivid in my mind.”

“We lost a true hero,” Failla said. “The Medford fire house is honoring a wonderful man today.”

As the ceremony concluded and fire fighters and members of the Bazoge family crowded around the plaque to get a closer look, a photo of Bazoge was projected onto a screen in the front of the room, looking over the proceedings.

“Once you meant Ron you never forgot him,” Failla said. “Whether it was his character traits or his imposing physique, he just left a foot print in your life.”