ATHOL — John Smith, formerly of the Orange Fire Department, 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. 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 region.
Athol Fire Chief Jeff Parker said Smith was hired after he responded to a job posting.
“John had expressed interest in coming over and working with us,” Parker said. “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,” he said, “so that should give us a full complement at that point.”