Gloucester Fire Department Hires Master Mechanic and Six Firefighters

GLOUCESTER — The Gloucester Fire Department hired an experienced new Master Mechanic to maintain the department’s fleet and motorized equipment, and six new firefighters who will now head to the academy. 

Master Mechanic Jonathan Hofacre will take over on July 27, replacing retired Master Mechanic John Wheeler, who served the department with skill and professionalism. 

Hofacre has been training and working in the automotive field since 1998, and working as a heavy equipment and diesel mechanic since 2008.

Master Mechanic is a vital position within the Department, responsible for maintaining and managing a fleet of six engines, two ladder trucks, four ambulances, a high-water vehicle, a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), two boats with outboard motors, two forestry trucks, and eight administrative and service vehicles.

The Master Mechanic also helps with budgeting for the fleet and maintains all small engine-powered tools such as forestry pumps, chainsaws, cut off saws and hydraulic power units. 

“John Wheeler played a key role in public safety here in Gloucester by tirelessly maintaining our fleet and motorized equipment, ensuring the tools we need were ready,” said Chief Eric Smith. “Jonathan Hofacre has decades of experience and commitment to his field, and I am confident he will be invaluable to our efforts to keep Gloucester safe.”

The department is also hiring six new firefighters. EMTs Mathieu Pastagal, Michael Guglielmi, Jack Nicastro, Marcione Spairani, and Dylan Tinkham, and Paramedic Callie MacLaughlin were hired as of July 20. All but Tinkham, who already graduated from the fire academy, will now attend the Boston Fire Department Academy. 

The new hires will fill vacancies created by retirements. The department currently has 64 members, while the budget authorizes up to 72. These new hires will bring staffing up to 70, and two more firefighters will be hired as soon as possible.

“I’m pleased that we were able to find six highly-qualified new firefighters, who will now begin extensive training. Maintaining adequate staffing at the Gloucester Fire Department is a major priority, and these hires move us in the right direction,” said Chief Smith.

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