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Date: 12/12/2023
HARDWICK — After a lengthy career that started when he was a teenager, Fire Chief Raymond Walker will be retiring on Dec. 21.
Walker has been chief at the Hardwick station for over 35 years and began working there when he was 15 years old, he said. While state regulations typically require firefighters to retire at age 65, Walker received an extension until his 70th birthday.
“I started with the department as a young kid. My father lived next door and then he was on the department and I got involved,” Walker explained in an interview. “So I’ll have 55 years in [at retirement].”
When asked about his time as chief, Walker remarked that “time goes by so fast.” He listed items such as the department’s new tanker from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant and new equipment as significant changes in the department while he was chief.
“We’ve progressed,” he stated. “The last go around we got air packs, we were able to upgrade those. We do have four of the air packs out of 16 that have a built-in camera — thermal imaging cameras — built right into the packs so that you can scan the area, look for victims, take the temperature.”
He explained that the new equipment helps to ensure that firefighters are remaining safe while in action, such as monitoring their air levels, in addition to making it easier to help victims of a fire.
One event that Walker said he was particularly proud of how the department handled was the Wheelwright mill fire in 2021, calling the event “pretty spectacular.”
“I had 40 some odd tankers shuttling water,” Walker stated. “I had a taskforce come in to shuttle water; a taskforce come in with engines and stuff. I say we were there for I think 3 days.”
Concerning who will become the next fire chief, Walker supported his deputy chief, Josh Pease, taking over his position.
While the Board of Selectmen previously showed concern over Pease’s age and inexperience during its Nov. 27 meeting, Walker said that Pease has been with the department for over 13 years and taken the needed preparations to become chief. However, Walker was unaware if there were other candidates up for the position.
He also told Reminder Publishing he appreciated residents’ support during his time as chief.