Middleborough Fire Department Holds Ceremony to Swear In Six New Firefighters

The Middleborough Fire Department held a swearing-in ceremony for six new firefighters on Monday. (Photo courtesy Middleborough Fire Department)

MIDDLEBOROUGH — Fire Chief Owen Thompson and Town Manager James McGrail proudly share that six new members of the Middleborough Fire Department were sworn in during a ceremony on Monday, Jan. 27.

Firefighters Rebecca Cullity, ​Anthony LaCivita, Matthew Mokeler, Patrick O’Donnell, Thomas Simon, and Anthony Visconte were sworn in by Chief Thompson at a Middleborough Select Board meeting. Each firefighter was pinned by a family member.

Last September, the Middleborough Fire Department was awarded a $2,019,030 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant — to be administered over three years — to hire six full-time firefighters, increasing firefighter safety and service to the community.

The grant will cover 100% of the personnel expenses associated with hiring six new full-time firefighters, including the Town of Middleborough’s portion of their health insurance and pension liabilities, with no matching cost required from the Town.

With the grant, the Middleborough Fire Department will be able to operate its South Station 24/7 with a three-member engine company, in addition to a three-member engine company at Central Station. Currently, Middleborough Fire has a three-member engine company and a two-member ladder company at Central Station, and the South Station is used when there is additional staffing.

Town Manager McGrail and the Select Board have committed to funding the six positions after grant funds are exhausted.

“Without the Town’s leadership, this swearing-in ceremony wouldn’t have been possible,” Chief Thompson said.

The Fire Department swearing-in ceremony was the first before the Select Board in many years. Chief Thompson said he believes it’s an important tradition of the fire service so that new firefighters start the job knowing they’re a part of the community, and residents get to know the faces of people who may respond to their homes in times of emergency.

“Today is a reminder of the strength and unity that exists within our Fire Department family and the unwavering commitment we have to serving and protecting the Town of Middleborough,” Chief Thompson said. “It’s a calling that demands resilience and a willingness to face unthinkable challenges to protect our community.”

The new firefighters are set to participate in department orientation and attend the Massachusetts Fire Academy.

“The addition of these six firefighters will make the Town of Middleborough a safer place for the future,” Town Manager McGrail said. “Increasing staffing levels at the Middleborough Fire Department is long overdue, and we are incredibly thankful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for this funding. We are committed to ensuring that we maintain these positions beyond the life of this grant.”

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