New Leadership at Fire Department to be Installed

 

With Fire Chief Robert Loomer's official retirement yesterday, the new leadership team assumed new responsibilities. A public promotion ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Large Hearing Room in Town Building.

At that time, Vincent J. Smith will take the oath as Fire Chief.  In accordance with Sec. 60.2.3(d)(2) of the Town Code, the appointment was presented and approved by the Board of Selectmen at the meeting on December 12, 2011.

Chief Smith is a Wayland resident.  He has served as a member of the Fire Department since October 1978, rising through the ranks while completing numerous certifications including chief fire officer management training, fire inspector, and emergency medical technician.  As Deputy Chief, has participated in all aspects of administration of the department while commanding one of the four work teams, and was instrumental in working with the Advanced Life Support Committee to further an initiative to assure paramedic service to Wayland residents.   Vinny earned a bachelor of science degree in fire administration from Empire State College and a master of arts degree in public administration from Framingham State College.

Vinny's promotion to Fire Chief set in motion promotional opportunities within the ranks of the Wayland Fire Department. Captain David Houghton will serve as Deputy Chief. He began his service as a call firefighter in 1982, joining the department as a full-time firefighter in 1984. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2001 and captain in 2009. Dave is also an instructor at the state fire academy.

Robert Dorey has been promoted from lieutenant to captain. He began as a call firefighter in 1995 and became a full-time employee in 2001. He served as fire inspector from 2006 to 2010 when he was promoted to lieutenant.

Kenneth McGuire will replace Lt. Dorey on the leadership team. He began as a call firefighter in 2002, coordinating the supplemental force in 2005 before becoming a full-time firefighter in 2006.

In addition to the promotional ceremonies, new firefighter/paramedic Michael Boyes will be introduced. He is also a certified paramedic, marking the third paramedic on our staff. He began service as a call firefighter in 2008 and worked as a part-time paramedic beginning last year as we transitioned from Emerson's contract service to a Wayland-based service.

Among his final assignments as chief, retiring Fire Chief Loomer worked closely with Chief-designate Smith, members of the senior leadership team, and town officials to assure a smooth transition between administrations. Former Chief Loomer will be present for the ceremony Monday evening if you wish to join the Selectmen and add your own congratulations and thanks for his nearly 40 years of service as a fire professional, the last 8+ years as Wayland's Fire Chief.

Fred Turkington
Town Administrator

Share:

Leave a Reply (full real name required)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *