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Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW When current East Longmeadow Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace vacates his seat, none other than the department's own Call Captain Richard Brady will fill it. Brady has put in 31 years in the department and is ecstatic that he has been selected to fill such big shoes. "I feel terrific. I'm very pleased and proud to be chosen. The opportunity was there and I felt it was worth trying. I was trying to better myself and I believe in the East Longmeadow Fire Department and I believe in doing the best for town's people." A native of Springfield and father of two adult children, Brady lived in town just one year before he signed on with the fire department in 1976. For the last 27 years he has owned Duraclean by Brady, a carpet and furniture cleaning business he founded and runs with a few part-time employees. Heading the fire department is a full time job and Brady will officially close his cleaning operation at the end of November, to the dismay of his customers. He explained that customers have been finding out about his promotion via word-of-mouth. "Well wishers have been calling me. I've been so busy," he said. "I've been overwhelmed with phone calls. It has been wonderful, a dream come true. I had a lady customer say, 'Well, then I have to pull all my rugs out then.' I've developed many good relationships with my customers over 27 years." Even though Brady is being bombarded with cards and phone calls from people who have moved out of town, he said his new opportunity as chief is a good fit because the department is his passion. He has no expectations about the new position and is pleased with the transition process Chief Wallace has chosen to take. "It was a really smart thing. When he was telling the selectmen that he was going to retire, he suggested that they allow the new person to work with him for a month," Brady explained. "To be on the other side of the desk is different. I am going to take in everything. The best thing to do is wait and listen. I don't plan on making any major changes. Chief Wallace has done a great job," he said. Brady was chosen from six candidates. On Nov. 3 the finalists came before the Board of Selectmen in a final round of interviews. Brady will officially take the helm of the East Longmeadow Fire Department on Dec. 28. | ||||||
