ATHOL – At a recent Selectboard meeting, Athol Fire Chief Jeff Parker introduced Eric Jack as the department’s new deputy chief.

Jack was sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Burnham shortly before the start of the meeting. Parker told the board that Jack officially assumed the job of deputy chief on Sept. 29.

“Eric has shown a lot of initiative and a lot of promise over the years,” said Parker. “He’s done a lot of work to put himself in this spot and I’m proud to have him next to me. I think we’re going to make a good team for the Town of Athol, and we’re going to make this department stronger moving forward.”

A lifelong resident of Athol, Jack has been with the Fire Department since 1997, when he became a “charter member” of the department’s ambulance staff as an EMT. After eight years as a call firefighter, Jack became a full-time firefighter/EMT in 2005, eventually working his way up to the rank of captain.

Jack’s uncle, Edwin ‘Windy” Anderson, had once served as fire chief of Petersham.

Jack told the Athol Daily News that his new position will include daily supervision, EMS and emergency management, supervision and training of all department personnel and issues relating to discipline, duties and procedures. He said he will also assume some budgetary responsibilities, as well as carrying out “any and all other duties assigned by the fire chief.”

“I have been in the fire service since 1996 when I started as a call firefighter in Athol,” Jack said. “I became a full-time firefighter/paramedic in 2005.”

Jack added that he enjoys serving his hometown, which, he said, “has supported me to better myself and the department by allowing me to take classes and trainings.

“The fire service,” he continued, “has changed significantly since I was first hired as a call firefighter; EMS is a much bigger part of our job today. We are constantly facing new hazards such as lithium-ion batteries, and our firefighters must train regularly to keep themselves and the community safe. This job is challenging, but also rewarding, and I have a great sense of pride in my community and the Athol Fire Department, and I look forward to going to work every day.”

Jack said he will still have time to meet the responsibilities of his part-time job as Royalston Fire Chief. He will also continue to serve as a member of the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee.

Although eligible for retirement in another six years, Jack said he’s not even weighing that step at present.

“Chief Parker and I have a lot that we would like to accomplish,” he said.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.