MONTAGUE CENTER — After 52 years with the Montague Center Fire Department, Mark Fisk, a self-described “town guy,” is hanging up his turnout gear.
Fisk’s final day at the department was Monday, March 30, coinciding with his 72nd birthday. He joined the department as a firefighter in 1974 under the guidance of then-Fire Chief Hugh Brown and worked his way up the ranks. He has held the position of captain for more than 25 years.
When asked about the biggest changes he’s seen in firefighting, Fisk pointed to the value of new medical technology for first responders, such as the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) machine for performing CPR, or the opioid overdose reversal medication Narcan — a piece of lifesaving equipment he’s seen in action.
“The first aid has changed from the old cardiac thump to now having a defibrillator, and having the LUCAS. All this has changed,” he said. “It’s just incredible.”
In reflecting on why he wanted to become a firefighter, Fisk said that at the time, public service and giving back to the community where you grew up was simply what people did.
“Some of us stayed in town and joined the fire department, or others moved on to other fire departments, too, in the area,” Fisk said. “We all just did our part.”
Montague Center Fire Chief Luke Hartnett, who’s been a firefighter for 26 years, shared his admiration and appreciation for Fisk, especially for his dedication to expanding the department’s knowledge and staffing.
“Mark is the first one to ask a question, and such smart questions, to really find out more about, ‘Hey, what can we do? How can we do this better? What equipment is out there?’ or, ‘What technology is there?” Hartnett said. He added that Fisk has been invested both in the department’s weekly trainings, as well as its staffing needs.
Hartnett noted that Fisk has been a firefighter for longer than he’s been alive — a fact not dissimilar to other department members — and is someone that he looks up to.
“I look up to the man. He taught me a bunch of stuff, seeing him on fires,” Hartnett said. “We’re gonna feel the void of … him not being there as an official member.”
This community service mindset also extends to Ann Fisk, who joined the Montague Center Fire Department as an emergency medical technician, and went with her husband on calls. In reflecting on his service, Ann Fisk said she’s seen Mark develop friendships within the department over the years, even those who have retired and still keep in touch.
In retirement, Ann Fisk said she and Mark plan to travel more and see family, while also continuing to be involved with Montague Center Firefighters Association events. They’ll also navigate a new dynamic, as she continues her service to the department as an EMT.
“I go with him, so that’s going to be a little odd,” Ann Fisk said. “Now he sits home and I’m going.”
Doing double duty
Another change coming down the pike for Hartnett is his future role as chief of the Turners Falls Fire Department following the planned departure of current Chief Todd Brunelle, who is becoming an instructor at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Hartnett will remain chief of the Montague Center Fire Department, bringing the same leadership to the two fire departments serving the five villages.
“I’m humbled and excited to be able to take on this role over here in [Turners Falls],” Hartnett said. “Both departments are phenomenal groups of people.”
Hartnett’s start date as Turners Falls fire chief is April 27, after which point he’ll oversee 45 personnel between the two departments. Hartnett said he’ll spend time in both departments, coordinating as needed for calls coming into each.
Hartnett said he and Brunelle have been collaborating on the transition, which he said has given him a view of what the department’s day-in and day-out operations look like.
Having taken over as chief in Montague Center following the retirement of former Chief David Hansen last summer, Brunelle is still fairly new to that leadership post as well. As he gears up for the added responsibility of guiding two departments, Hartnett said it’s members like Mark Fisk and others who do the hardest work of all, and he’s simply there to serve as the “maestro” while the firefighters make “the music.”
“They’re the ones who do so much amazing work that I just owe them all the credit,” he said.
