ATHOL – Local officials and area residents gathered under clear blue skies over the weekend to honor current members of the Athol Fire Department and remember those who have passed.

Sunday marked the fifth annual Athol Firefighters Memorial, an event started in 2019 by Chief Joseph Guarnera.

“We especially think of those who gave everything they had, in spite of peril, while serving humankind,” said Fire Department Chaplain Dan Parsons in his opening invocation. “As a department, we pause to remember those who we only knew as brothers and sisters in service, many of whom, in much deep despair, felt the only way out was to take their own life. We pray for those who suffer silently from the sacrifice required from the profession they love.”

Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, addressing the firefighters gathered for the event, said, “A lot of times we think of fires and calamities, but it’s actually any time we’re in a period of need, when people are facing their worst moments – you folks are there.”

Ken Duffy, chair of the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee, said the two most important responsibilities that must be met by local government are providing education and public safety. He went on to thank those gathered for the passage in April of a Proposition 2 ½ override to provide additional staffing for the Fire Department.

Speaking to the firefighters, Duffy said, “The job that you folks do is demanding. I can’t even relate to that. I just know from a distance that what you do is demanding, it’s mentally and physically challenging, but it’s so necessary for the health and well-being of the fabric of the community. On behalf of the community, I want to thank all of you for your dedication and service. May God bless all of you.”

After enumerating the apparatus and supplies that have been purchased through a variety of grants in the past year, as well as the acquisition of a new communication system paid for by federal ARPA funds, Guarnera thanked those gathered for the success of the $286,000 Proposition 2 ½ override.

“This will increase our staffing by one person per shift,” he said.

Prior to the Firefighter of the Year Award being announced, Guarnera called Duffy and Selectboard member Rebecca Bialecki to the podium.

“Personally, I have had many official and non-official meetings with each of them. I look to them both for advice, guidance and their camaraderie,” said the chief. “Both Ken and Rebecca are considered one of us. Understanding that within their respective positions within the town there will be some limitations and even some disagreements, at the end of the day their dedication and support is shown tenfold. For these reasons, we are inducting both Ken and Rebecca into the Athol Fire Department as honorary members.”

Guarnera then announced that Firefighter Francisco Carra had been chosen as Firefighter of the Year by his peers in the department. Guarnera said the secret ballot vote to choose Carra for the honor was nearly unanimous.

Carra, said the chief, “had demonstrated an allegiance to the fire department and the firefighters and fire officers,” and had “gone above and beyond their normal duties to make visible improvements and to enhance the department’s ability to reduce fire loss and better serve the community.”

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