Five East Providence firefighters and three public works department employees were recognized Tuesday night, Feb. 19, at the City Council meeting for going "above and beyond their duty" during the Blizzard of 2013. 

Chris DeCecco, James Miller and Carl Torres of the DPW and Lt. Brian Poland and firefighters William Poland, Joseph DaSilva, George Carvalho and Mathew Goodreau received commendations for their actions during the storm. 

In particular, DeCecco, Miller and Torres were cited for helping to locate a lost child.

The firefighters battled two fires while working more than 36 hours straight through several shifts.

City Manager Peter Graczykowski said of all the workers: “They gave up a lot of that weekend. On behalf of the City Council, I want to commend them.” 

He said the workers and firefighters did whatever needed to be done before, during and after the storm to help city residents ride out this "historic" blizzard.

City Councilor Chrissy Rossi handed out proclamations to six of the eight workers who attended the meeting.