Overview:
John Smith has been sworn in as the newest full-time firefighter/paramedic in Athol. Smith comes to Athol after nearly seven years of service with the Orange Fire Department and recently completed paramedic school. His hiring brings the department closer to having a full complement of personnel, with one more person still in the hiring process. Smith expressed interest in joining the department to further his career and because he lives in Athol.
ATHOL – John Smith was sworn in Wednesday afternoon as Athol’s newest full-time firefighter/paramedic.
Smith took the oath from Town Clerk Nancy Burnham in the foyer at Athol Town Hall, with Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, Selectboard Chair Rebecca Bialecki and several of his colleagues looking on.
Smith comes to Athol after nearly seven years of service with the Orange Fire Department, he said. Asked why he decided to make the switch to Athol, Smith said, “I think the ability to further my career, kind of spread my wings more – just more opportunity. And I live in Athol.”
Smith said he was born and raised in Boston and, after high school, lived about 13 years in New Hampshire before relocating to the North Quabbin.
Athol Fire Chief Jeff Parker said Smith was hired after responding to a job posting by the department.
“John had expressed interest in coming over and working with us,” said Parker. “He just recently finished paramedic school – he went to paramedic school with two of our current employees. So, we now have three brand new certified paramedics.”
Parker said Smith’s hiring brings his department closer to having a full complement of personnel, as provided for in the municipal budget. Parker said the town’s newest firefighter should be joining the department in “a month or two.”
“We have one more that we’re still in the process of hiring, so that should give us a full complement at that point,” he said.