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Date: 7/20/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Former Fire Chief Bill Flaherty says his successor needs to be a good manager, a good ambassador to the public, and a good firefighter ready to meet any kind of emergency.
Whoever replaces Flaherty, who retired last month after 33 years of service, will be responsible for overseeing a department of 76 firefighters and staff, three full-time fire stations and three ambulances.
The West Springfield Fire Department’s budget for fiscal year 2023 is approximately $5.6 million. The chief is largely a managerial role, overseeing a budget, managing personnel and connecting with the public.
“You can’t have someone who comes in and says it’s my way or the highway, you need to have someone who can relate to people and make sure functions of town are being done,” said Flaherty. And “you have to be a very diversified department to respond to all different incidents.”
He said West Springfield’s Fire Department faces some unique challenges due to the town’s location, at “the crossroads of New England,” where Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike meet, and home to a CSX classification yard, one of the largest train yards in New England.
“There’s a lot of chemicals going through that yard, it’s a big challenge there with all the hazmat,” said Flaherty, referring to hazardous materials.
In May, for example, a freight car filled with construction debris caught fire while sitting in the Union Street yard.
Robert Manchino Jr. has been named interim chief of the department. Manchino, who has been a West Springfield firefighter since 1987, had previously served in the role of deputy chief under Flaherty since 2011.
“A lot of the stuff that was accomplished over past 11 years is a credit to the members of the department. Really a big plus and made my job a lot easier,” said Flaherty.
The mayor is the appointing authority for a permanent fire chief. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria and pass an examination in order to be eligible for consideration.
“The fire chief position is currently in Civil Service, and will require a test next year,” said Mayor William Reichelt.
For his part, Manchino is looking forward to the coming year. The department will acquire a new ambulance sometime this summer, and in 2023 will purchase a new “quint” fire truck with a 75-foot ladder. Quints are multipurpose fire trucks, combining a pump, water tank, hose, an aerial ladder, and ground ladders into one machine.
Another recent improvement to the department, residents can now submit fire inspection permit applications completely online.
“We’re trying to make it easier for people,” said Manchino.
For permit information, visit westspringfieldma.viewpointcloud.com.