Front row, left to right: Matt Smith, Beth Sylvia, Ann Morton Smith and Bruce Gratz. Back row; Captain Peter Andrade, Deputy Chief Stanly Bettoncourts, and Firefighter Skott Rebello.

Dartmouth Fire District No.1 hosted its annual memorial parade in honor of Dartmouth’s fire districts on National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day on June 12.

At 9 a.m., the parade proceeded from the District No.1 headquarters at 10 Bridge Street towards the South Dartmouth Cemetery at 507 Elm Street. The names of fallen firefighters from the three districts were read at the end of the parade.

Following the parade, a fireboat was dedicated in the memory of Captain Gerald Smith, who served the Dartmouth fire districts for 40 years.

“He was a great guy, well respected,” said firefighter Skott Rebello. “He had a calm voice on the radio which he was known for.”

About 30 people attended the dedication of the formerly-named Marine One fireboat at the Cape Yachts Wharf in Padanaram. Smith’s children—Matt and Ann Morton—were in attendance.

The vessel, now known as the Capt. Gerald Smith, was manufactured by Metal Craft Marine in Canada. The boat is made from thick aluminum that is capable of withstanding severe conditions, and can reach speeds over 30 miles per hour in a matter of seconds, said Rebello. The fire pump can move as much as 1250 gallons per minute, he said.

Rebello said the cabin is outfitted with all the standard rescue equipment found on a fire truck, including advanced first aid supplies and winter cold rescue suits.

The Capt. Gerald Smith is also equipped with thermal imaging technology that can identify a person from miles away, said Rebello.