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Middleborough fire department pins badges for six new firefighters; SAFER grant funds positions
Summary
Select Board and Fire Chief recognized a retiring call firefighter and formally swore in six new firefighters paid through an AFG SAFER grant; chief said the hires will help staffing as civilian dispatchers are phased in.
Chief Thompson presented a certificate and department recognition for call firefighter Sean Martin’s 20 years of service, then led a badge-pinning and oath ceremony for six new hires funded by a federal Assistance to Firefighters/SAFER grant.
The swearing-in brought Anthony Lesivia, Anthony Visconti, Matthew Molkar, K. Patrick O’Donnell, Rebecca Colty and Thomas Simon onto the department roster. Chief Thompson said the six positions are funded through the AFG SAFER grant and that the town leadership and community had supported continuing those positions when the grant funds end.
The chief and town staff said the new hires will expand the number of firefighters available daily. Separately in the meeting, Town Manager Jay McGrail and the chief briefed the board on a planned transition to civilian dispatchers; once civilian dispatchers take over routine dispatch duties (anticipated in March, subject to hiring and certification), the fire department expects to staff a full three-person engine company at the South Middleborough station more routinely.
Chief Thompson invited the board and community to a planned ribbon-cutting when the staffing transition is complete.
