Martin retires from Fire Department

Date: 5/10/2011

May 11, 2011

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM — Family, friends, former and current colleagues and city officials stopped by the Agawam firehouse on May 6 to wish outgoing Fire Chief Stephen Martin well in his retirement.

"At 4:31 this afternoon, Deputy Chief Alan Sirois takes over as Acting Chief," Martin said in passing as he chatted with visitors and the media in the firehouse garage. Many visitors came to shake his hand or share a quick word or hug. Some brought parting gifts, including cigars and golf balls, a nod to Martin's well-known hobbies.

"After 29 years in the Agawam Fire Department it's an emotional day, a bittersweet day ... it's been a great opportunity to serve the people of Agawam [and] a great experience working with all the [town] departments," Martin said. "I've had a good career looking back — with regrets at times — but it's a chance for a new life."

Mayor Richard Cohen said Martin would be sorely missed.

"I don't think anybody can replace Steve," Cohen said. "He is somebody who has had a positive influence on our city [and] our Fire Department. His knowledge of firefighting, hazardous materials situations and emergency medical service has brought Agawam's Fire Department to a higher level."

Martin said firefighting was not his initial career choice as a young man, and he spent his early 20s working at a series of jobs, including a stint with the postal service and as a civilian employee of the Massachusetts State Police.

He started his fire career in West Springfield in 1980, moving to Agawam in 1982 after receiving a layoff notice at his former job.

In his 29 years fighting fires Martin said he's seen many changes in equipment and how fire fighters do their jobs, but not in the risks they take. When he started a rubberized raincoat, boots and helmet cost about $180. Today's fire-retardant, weather- blood- and pathogen-resistant gear costs about $2,000.

"It has become safer for firefighters," Martin said. "But the reasons for injuries and death are still the same smoke, falls, equipment and heart attacks."

When asked if any of the many fires and emergencies he'd responded to in Agawam had left a greater mark on his memory than others, Martin became reticent.

"We deal in responding to tragedies," he said quietly. "There are a lot of things that are etched into my brain, a lot of large fires, but I will not single out any one incident."

Martin said he didn't have any immediate plans for his retirement beyond "taking some time off and looking at some travel." He added that he would maintain his association with the Hampden County Fire Chief's Association for the immediate future.

Cohen said, as the fire chief position falls under civil service, he has requested a new civil service candidate list and "we will go from there." Martin said he has recommended Sirois to the mayor as his replacement. Cohen said he is also looking to fill the acting deputy fire chief position at this time.