ATHOL — The retirement of Chief John Duguay in early September has not affected the operation of the well-oiled machine that is the Athol Fire Department.
The town opted not to hire an interim fire chief while a five-member search committee conducts interviews to fill the position of fire chief/emergency management director, who will be responsible for managing all administrative and operational aspects of the full-time, full-service fire and ambulance department.
Instead, Jeffrey Parker, a 23-year veteran of the department and serving in the role of deputy fire chief for the last three and a half years, is handling the day-to-day operations of the 16-member department, including the chief and deputy duties.
The town is seeking a candidate with a record of demonstrated success and who possesses outstanding leadership, communication and budgeting skills. Roughly 24 applications were received and reviewed by the Fire Chief Search Committee.
Members and their positions are Selectboard member Rebecca Bialecki, appointed by the board; Citizen-at-large designee, Barbara Savoy appointed by the Selectboard; Finance & Warrant Advisory Committee member Ken Duffy, appointed by the committee chairman; department head designee Cathy Savoy, appointed by the town manager; and for the position of sitting or retired fire chief on the committee is Paul Zbikowski, appointed by the town manager.
Parker confirmed his application was among those received by the town. The list has been pared down to five and interviews of the finalists have commenced. After all have been interviewed, the committee will give their recommendations to the town manager, who will make the decision.
In the meantime, Parker said, “It’s business as usual. I’ve lived here all my life, and my wife and I raised our three sons here.”
Parker said he has nine years employment left before he can retire.
“I think continuity would be a good thing for the town,” he said.