GREENFIELD — First responders from across Franklin County lined Congress Street Wednesday evening to welcome Greenfield Fire Capt. John Whitney home from the hospital following a cancer diagnosis.

When Whitney and his wife, Emily, crossed the city line, entering Greenfield on their way home from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Greenfield Police cruiser turned its lights on and pulled out in front of Whitney’s car, escorting the couple home.

Turning onto Congress Street, Whitney was met by a crowd of hundreds who gathered around ambulances, police cruisers and fire trucks to support the more than 20-year veteran firefighter after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“The welcome home was just an incredible boost after what was one of the most difficult weeks we’ve ever had. We’re extremely grateful,” Emily Whitney said in an interview Friday. “We are going to have a long road ahead, and the firefighters — Greenfield Fire Department and Northfield ambulance and all of the departments locally have just been so supportive in reaching out and asking what we need.”

Last week, John and Emily went to the emergency room after John had suffered from headaches and other symptoms the week prior. After a CAT scan revealed a mass on John’s brain, he was transferred to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Emily recounted. There, he underwent an MRI, which revealed the mass was a large tumor.

“A representative from the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts came to visit us at Baystate Springfield and said that he is rooting for John and that there is a direct care line for firefighters to get into Dana-Farber,” she said. “He was such an angel to come on his own and tell us that, so that we knew that we could push for that. Within three hours, we were accepted at Dana-Farber and transferred to Brigham and Women’s for a biopsy to determine what the next steps will be.”

When John and Emily pulled into their driveway, it was lined with friends, family members and first responders, who also lined the sidewalks of Congress Street up to their driveway. In a series of emotional exchanges, members of the crowd, one by one, made their way up to the couple and wished them well.

Fire Chief Robert Strahan said the captain’s welcome home was planned less than two hours in advance. Calls went out to the county’s fire chiefs, emergency medical services directors and police chiefs, notifying them that John and Emily Whitney were on their way home.

Strahan added that it was “humbling and overwhelming” to see the large crowd of people who gathered to welcome John Whitney home. He described the crowd’s large size as a testament to how beloved the fire captain is in his community.

“Capt. Whitney is one of our senior captains. He is our lead fire investigator, he’s been very involved with the community,” Strahan said. “He’s well-liked and respected throughout not only Greenfield emergency services, but Franklin County as a whole, which was evidenced by the turnout of people that came out to support him.”

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 72% of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths in 2023 were from occupational cancer.

“It’s a scary time for our family. We have three boys and we’ve got a long road ahead, but we’re feeling the love and the support, and we’re just extremely grateful,” Emily Whitney said. “It’s just amazing how the EMS community shows up for their own when somebody’s going through something like this.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.