ECHL Maine Mariners

Stacy Blaquiere Named Recipient of 2023 Barnes Award

Published on February 14, 2023 under ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Stacy Blaquiere, of the Paris, Oxford, and Casco Fire Departments as well as Pace Ambulance, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award. Blaquiere is the fourth recipient of the award and becomes the first female to win it.

Created in the fall of 2019, the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award honors the late Joel Barnes, a Berwick fire captain who was killed in the line of the duty on March 1st, 2019, while saving the life of a fellow firefighter. The award seeks to recognize a local fire or EMS responder in the state of Maine with three or more years of service, who "demonstrate outstanding professionalism and service to their community, and a commitment to promoting life safety education."

Blaquiere works on a per diem basis for the Paris, Oxford, and Casco Fire Departments and is a full time EMT for Pace Ambulance, based in Norway. She has organized successful toy drives for a family who lost a child in a house fire, organized clothing drives for fire victims, food drives for the residents of Paris, and school supply drives for local students and teachers. Stacy also heads up the annual Community Day at the Paris Fire Department, to promote fire prevention and safety.

In December, when severe winter storms hit the region, Blaquiere spent two weekend going door-to-door at the residences of the elderly community to check on them and deliver warm meals.

"It is very humbling to even be nominated for something like this," said Blaquiere. "To win it is even better. I don't do this for recognition but it's nice to know the community appreciates my hard work."

Blaquiere joins three previous recipients of the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award: Josh Pobrislo (2022 - South Portland Fire Department), Bobby Dorr (2021 - Ellsworth Fire Department) and Matt St. Pierre (2020 - Hampden Fire Department).

The Barnes Award committee is made up of Mariners employees, members of Teamsters Local 340, and the Berwick Volunteer Firefighters Association. They interviewed four finalists before choosing Blaquiere at this year's winner. The three runners up were John Gilboy III (Old Orchard Beach Fire Department), Gerry Pineau (Deputy Fire Chief for Topsham), and Dale Morrison (Presque Isle Fire Department).

"The Mariners are incredibly grateful to be able to help carry on the legacy of Captain Barnes," said Adam Goldberg, Mariners Vice President of Business Operations. "Each year, we talk to amazing people in various Maine communities and all of them talk about Captain Barnes as a person, not as a firefighter. Congratulations to Stacy and all of this year's finalists. It is rewarding to shine the light on the members of our community that are the most humble and selfless."

Blaquiere will receive her award at the Mariners game this Saturday, February 18th against the Atlanta Gladiators at 6:00 PM, and all four finalists will be recognized. The annual "Battle of the Badges" tournament will take place in the hours leading up to game time. Click here for tickets.

The Mariners are next in action on Wednesday night, traveling to Glens Falls, NY for a meeting with the Adirondack Thunder. They are back home for a Three Dollar Deweys "Threekend" on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 17th-19th. The Lions are the opponent once again on Friday for National Kindness Day presented by Kennebunk Savings. It's also another 1-2-3 Friday: $1 candy, $2 popcorn, and $3 Bud Light Drafts until the start of the 2nd period. Game time is 7:15 PM. Saturday is "Battle of the Badges" presented by the Holiday Inn by the Bay, and Sunday is Women in Sports Day and the annual Underwear & Sports Bra Toss, to benefit Preble Street. More information on upcoming promotions can be found at MarinersOfMaine.com/promotions.

Individual game tickets can be purchased online, at the Ware-Butler Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Family Four Packs are available for all Saturday and Sunday games and can be purchased here. Season-long ticket plans are also still available. More information on ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or by visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.

Check out the Maine Mariners Statistics

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