Fire Department issues call for volunteer firefighters


Fire Chief Richard J. Brady (left) welcomes Rev. James J. Scahill to his new position as chaplain. Scahill said the town is blessed that they have people in the past, present and future willing to take on responding to alarms and sessions preparing them to properly respond to alarms. Reminder Publications submitted photo

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW The East Longmeadow Fire Department is looking for a few good persons. As the department is looking to fill five vacant volunteer firefighter spots, it is also welcoming on its newest addition: Rev. James J. Scahill.

The department is allotted 40 positions. Currently, only 30 are filled seven full-time regulars, the fire chief and 22 on call firefighters.

"We are presently down to 30 with retirements and people moving out of the area, and we currently have five in a training class," Chief Richard J. Brady said. "Training should complete this summer and we look to begin a new training class as soon as they are completed. The training is a one-year time period where they would train here in the evening one night a week."

Applicants have to be a minimum of 19 years old and are required to pass the written and the practical exams for the state at the end of that year. Living in East Longmeadow is not required, but candidates must reside within one mile of the town line. The deadline for applying is May 23 and Brady said he hopes to have the maximum number of positions filled.

"Thirty is pretty much the lowest [number] I can recall. It takes a few years for new firefighters to get experience. So when you lose more experience we lost [Chief P. Robert Wallace], then the captain it takes time to replace them. It's all a cycle and if we didn't jump on this then we would drop down below 30," Brady said. "We seem to lose a couple a year. To adequately cover the town we need the full complement."

In addition to the persons he is hoping that join the department, Brady also spent last week welcoming Scahill, of St. Michael's Parish, on as the new fire department chaplain.

"First of all, I count it a distinct privilege. The town is blessed with a marvelous volunteer firefighter department. I'm grateful to be invited to be a part of that family. I'll do whatever I can," Scahill said.

Volunteer firefighter applications can be picked up at the East Longmeadow Fire Department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Somers Road. For more information call 525-5430.