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Big changes ahead for ELFD

On July 17, East Longmeadow swore in new firefighter Chris A. Raschilla. From left to right: Selectman Joe Townshend; Chairman Jack Villamaino; Raschilla; Selectman James Driscoll; Chief Bob Wallace.Reminder Publications submitted photo
By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW The Fire Department is going through a metamorphosis. People and things are changing, growing and moving on.

Earlier this month, "Call" Captain Joseph Pugliano retired after 35 years of service, and last year firefighter Brian Falk also retired after 35 years of service.

Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace submitted his letter of intent to retire in May. When he leaves the department on Dec. 28, he'll have served 36.5 years fighting fires and saving lives.

After 16 years as the town's fire chief, Wallace stated that he has no future plans for another job just yet. "I'm looking forward to playing a lot more golf and chasing the grandkids around," he said.

"I am going to miss it," Wallace admitted. "It's going to be a new awakening when every day becomes a Saturday." He added that the first thing to go will be his home scanner.

The search for a new fire chief is already under way. Wallace said the town is looking for someone with at least an associate's degree in Fire Science, education or business, "because being a fire chief is more than just fighting fires.

"A fire chief is a lot like a CEO now," Wallace said. "In addition to fighting fires, one has to work on scheduling, keep track of training and budgeting concerns and be well trained with a computer."

The Board of Selectmen will have the final decision on who will become the new fire chief. Wallace can only make recommendations.

There have also been some promotions within the department. Pugliano's retirement led to promotion for both a captain and a lieutenant. As of July 1, Lieutenant Shawn Minnahan became captain on Engine #4 and Firefighter Robert Loughman became lieutenant on Engine #4.

Minnahan was a lieutenant for 3.5 years before this promotion, and Loughman has been a firefighter with the department for 15 years.

A new member to the fire department was welcomed during the Board of Selectmen's July 17 meeting. Chris A. Raschilla was sworn in by Chairman Enrico Villamaino.

Additionally, five new recruits to the fire department will be beginning their year-long training during the last week of July.

"When training new firefighters, the first thing we do is lay down the law of the land," Wallace said. The new recruits will be spending a lot of time working with the East Longmeadow Fire Department and reading the "Essentials of Fire Fighting Manual." At the end of their year of training, they'll need to take a written test as well as two field tests.

The basis for the town's fire department is call firefighters, which all of the new recruits will be. There are currently eight career firefighters with the department, including Wallace.

With the recent promotions and the training of new officers, all the ranks are filled at the fire department.

All the firefighters within the department are now National Incident Management System (NIMS) trained. NIMS-trained workers assist others in hazard situations like hurricanes, earthquakes, hazardous materials spills, homeland security breaches and emergency medial response.