GREENFIELD — With a unanimous vote by the Public Safety Commission, William “Bill” Kimball and Matthew Parody are set to be promoted to captain and lieutenant, respectively, in the Greenfield Fire Department.
Fire Chief Robert Strahan told commissioners on Wednesday that both have been acting in the roles as “provisional captain” and “provisional lieutenant,” and as Kimball and Parody have both proven to be valuable and dedicated staff, he is recommending they be promoted from acting to permanent roles. Both promotions will still need to go to the Mayor’s Office for final approval.
Kimball, who also works as chief of the Gill Fire Department, has been with the Greenfield Fire Department for more than 15 years. He started as a call-force firefighter in 2010 and began full-time in 2014.
“He has consistently demonstrated the knowledge, judgment, professionalism and leadership expected of a member serving in a supervisory position,” Strahan told the commission Wednesday night. “Kimball has, on every occasion, risen to the challenges presented to him in the fire service, including his service as provisional fire captain… Captain Kimball has earned the respect and confidence necessary to serve permanently in the position.”
Strahan explained that Kimball has been serving as provisional captain for about a year, as the department needed to restructure positions, due to the health challenges of a few department members, and assisted with administrative duties and grant writing.
“Kimball was thrust into the planning/operations position, and he’s been in that role for a little over a year. He’s done a fantastic job and has many responsibilities that fall on his shoulders,” Strahan said. “He has quickly proven to be an invaluable member of the day staff.”
Kimball said the position suits him well, as planning and addressing departmental needs is like solving a puzzle, and he enjoys organization and problem-solving.
“I love the position, although I ended up there not by great circumstances; I’m glad that when I did end up there, it fit me very well,” Kimball said. “I feel like it helps me excel in the department, and it fits my niche really well, where I kind of have a little bit of everything. I have to do some of the firefighting and response, and I get to play with all the grant writing and the administrative side.”
Commission Chair Ed Jarvis, who worked in the department for over 30 years before retiring in 2016, said it has been a pleasure to watch Kimball grow within the department, and he was honored to get to vote in favor of his promotion.
“I’ve seen you come into the ranks as a firefighter, mature up to where you are today,” Jarvis told Kimball. “It gives me great honor, and privelage to say good luck to you.”
The commission also voted to support Strahan’s recommendation that Parody be promoted to lieutenant. Strahan told the commission that Parody has decades of experience with the department and is a dedicated team member. He also serves as the vice president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2548.
“He is among the most senior firefighters assigned to shift operations, and is currently pursuing a college degree in fire service, further demonstrating his commitment to professional development,” Strahan said. “Throughout his tenure, Acting Lieutenant Parody has risen to the challenges in the fire service. He has demonstrated leadership qualities, operational competency and unwavering dedication to his fellow firefighters and resididents of the city of Greenfield.”
Strahan added that Parody is incredibly supportive of his fellow firefighters and is always the first to visit a colleague in the hospital when they are injured.
Commissioner David Moscaritolo said he was impressed while reviewing Parody’s file and found a letter from a young kid whom Parody had assisted and who was thankful.
“That level of care goes a long way,” Moscaritolo said. “I just want to thank you for your service and appreciate what you’re doing.”
Staffing levels
Strahan also spoke about department staffing levels, saying that with three department members out on medical leave and the recent passing of Capt. John Whitney, the remaining staff are incredibly busy.
Whitney died last month after a battle with occupational brain cancer and was one of 13 firefighters who died due to occupational cancer in Massachusetts this year.
“It is a very real problem and one that I thought would never hit us here, and unfortunately it has,” Strahan said. “John left a big hole in this department; his shoes are not going to be easily filled.”
He said that the department’s number one goal this year is to stay under budget, which would be challenging given how much overtime it will need to rely on this year.
According to the city’s open finance dashboard, the department has spent $44,994 on overtime costs so far this fiscal year, which began on July 1.
The department did lose one full-time firefighter due to budget cuts this year and a part-time clerical assistant, Strahan said. The department was able to avoid additional staffing cuts by paying for a few staff members with the ambulance revolving fund. Strahan said this was necessary given the current fiscal challenges of the city, but would be “unsustainable in the future.”
“My firefighters are incredibly busy,” Strahan said. “They are working incredible hours which is not good for their health and is not good for morale.”
Strahan said that he hoped the mayor’s office may be amenable to a supplemental budget, allowing the department to hire back the firefighter position that was cut, and allow for increased budgets in future years to increase staffing to keep up with demand.
For the 2027 fiscal year, the City Council approved a $3.2 million budget for the Fire Department, which represents a 1% decrease from last year. According to the city budget book, the budget funds 29 full-time staff members.
Strahan said that when he started with the department, they responded to an average of 800 calls a year. Now the department responds to more calls with less staff. He hopes that in the future, staffing levels can be increased.
“Every year we’re doing more and more,” Strahan said. “This year, we’re on track to do over 4,000.”
