MASHPEE (CBS) – A decorated Mashpee firefighter is free on bail, after being charged with two counts of rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years old or older.

48-year-old Steve Bold is alleged to have raped a 16-year-old girl at least twice, over the past six months. “I think the facts will come out in court,” said his defense attorney Drew Segadelli. “And I think we will be able to prove the allegations are false.”

Bold has been on the Mashpee Fire Department for 17 years, where he’s also a paramedic.

WBZ-TV’s Bill Shields reports

He’s been cited several times for bravery, including a Celtics “Hometown Hero” award for rescuing a man from a burning vehicle while he was off-duty.

“He’s been a reliable, constant presence on the department,” said Chief George Baker. “But now with these charges, I have placed Bold on administrative leave.”

The police say the victim’s story is believable. “We have a sense that her story is reliable,” says Chief Rodney Collins.