Hanson firefighter lends helping hand to seniors during coronavirus pandemic

HANSON, Mass. — A Hanson firefighter has been going above and beyond the call of duty throughout the pandemic to help residents who are elderly and immunocompromised.

Firefighter-Paramedic Timothy Royer has been doing their grocery shopping and picking up their prescriptions so they don’t risk being exposed to COVID-19 while out in public.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.

“I thought it would be a good thing to do,” Royer told Boston 25 News.

Royer advertised his free services through the town’s senior center and area visiting nurse and hospice associations.

He said volunteers a couple hours of his own time every week to help about ten people who have taken him up on his generous offer.

“Some of them email grocery lists to the senior center and the senior center will send them to me,” Royer said. “Others will just call me up. They have my phone number now.”

On Wednesday, Royer helped a resident put an air conditioner in ahead of the summer-like weather in the forecast for later this week.

He said he’s received a lot of positive feedback.

“They’re pretty happy about it,” Royer said.

Royer also said he’s grateful to have the support of Chief Jerome Thompson and Deputy Chief Robert O’Brien.

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