Back home to prepare for the Super Bowl, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is full of gratitude, tossing recognition to the Foxboro Fire Department.

The Patriots arrived back at Gillette Stadium in grand style late Monday afternoon, with the Foxboro Police Department escorting the team into Patriot Place. In a parking lot, local firefighters stood on their engines, while passionate fans also greeted the team.

“As we get back, just the Foxboro Fire Department, these guys all jacked up on top of their trucks and the excitement there,” Vrabel told reporters on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the team got returned, fresh off its 10-7 AFC Championship win over Denver.

The Foxboro firefighters’ union showed its support for the hometown team, commenting on Facebook, “Welcome back New England Patriots !!! Time to get ready for Super Bowl LX vs the Seattle Seahawks !!!”

The Foxboro Police Department added, “We had the pleasure of escorting the team back home this evening. Welcome home and good luck in California!”

The scene, around 5 p.m. Monday, came as New England started to dig out of a massive winter storm that dumped upwards of 17 inches of snow in Foxboro. The team didn’t have to worry about clearing off their personal vehicles, Vrabel said.

“I mean, just look at our parking attendants,” the head coach said, continuing his appreciation for those who are often overlooked. “I mean, we came back, there’s a bunch of snow, we’re worried about starting our cars and getting everything cleaned off, and our cars are cleaned off, and I can’t thank those people enough for what they do.”

New England stayed in Denver Sunday night after the AFC Championship game because of the massive storm that slammed not just the region but also most of the country. Vrabel told reporters last Friday that the team’s travel plans in getting home were uncertain ahead of the weekend.