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Trevallion retiring after more than 33 years with WFD

EMT/Paramedic Josh Mullen said retiring firefighter GlennTrevallion (above) was "a heck of an asset" to the fire department. Reminder Publications photo by Courtney Llewellyn
By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



WILBRAHAM Travel is in Glenn Trevallion's future. The Wilbraham firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) officially retired on Friday after 33.5 years of service to the town.

He lived in Alaska from 1977 to 1978 and he plans to return there soon in his recreational vehicle with his wife of 28 years, Mary, a teacher at Mile Tree School.

"I want to take my wife and drive the Al-Can [Alaska-Canada] Highway with her," Trevallion said. "There's so much to see."

A 1968 graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School, Trevallion served three years in the U.S. Army, including a two-year tour of Vietnam. Becoming a firefighter was "something that came about after coming home," he said.

"I joined the fire department in November 1971 and stayed here for five years," Trevallion recounted. "I rejoined as a call firefighter in 1980 and then became full-time in 1990." Before his retirement, he was the oldest firefighter in the department.

"This was the greatest career I could've picked," he said. "I'm so happy I had a chance to do it."

Trevallion said he really looked forward to coming to work everyday during his more than three decades with the Wilbraham Fire Department. He felt it was finally time to retire, though. "The fire department is really a young man's job," he stated. "I'm going to leave while I'm still healthy and can enjoy life."

He noted that the best thing about being a firefighter was getting to know everyone in the town of Wilbraham, especially his fellow firefighters.

"I'm going to miss the union," he said, "and being involved in the negotiations. I like to think I got pretty good at them. I'll miss the camaraderie and the good friendships."

As a firefighter, Trevallion said he always tried to focus on the positives. He didn't think of the danger in a situation, he thought of the excitement. "We got to test and use our skills during accidents," he said. "You train very hard and when you train you don't think about getting hurt."

EMT/Paramedic Josh Mullen said Trevallion was "a heck of an asset" to the fire department.

Trevallion said he plans on taking his first year of retirement slowly. He might do some part-time electrical work, as he is a licensed electrician. He wants to travel. He may spend more time with his family, too. Trevallion is expecting his first granddaughter sometime this week.

"I'll have plenty to keep me busy," he smiled.