For Immediate Release

Monday, July 1, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Georgetown Fire Department Hires First Full-Time Firefighters

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell is pleased to share that the Georgetown Fire Department has hired its first crew of full-time firefighters.

Firefighters James Driscoll, of Salisbury, Bret Moyer, of Georgetown, and Brian Belfiore, of Haverhill, began their new roles today, Monday, July 1. 

Firefighter Moyer’s father and grandfather both served on the Georgetown Fire Department.

“This is second nature for me,” Firefighter Moyer said. “I was born and raised in Georgetown. I enjoy helping the community where I live and work.”

Firefighter Moyer has worked part-time at the Georgetown Fire Department since 2005, and Firefighter Belfiore has worked part-time for the department for approximately three years. 

Firefighter Belfiore is also a call firefighter for the Groveland Fire Department, and Firefighter Driscoll is a call firefighter for the Newbury Fire Department and has previously volunteered for the South Hampton, New Hampshire Fire Department. 

“I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter,” Firefighter Driscoll said. “I’m a first generation firefighter, the first in my family. Growing up I loved looking at the trucks and visiting the stations.”

The Georgetown Fire Department also hired Firefighter Jennifer Hicks, of Groveland, who will begin her new post on Sept. 2. Firefighter Hicks started as a call firefighter in Groveland approximately four years ago and began working for the Georgetown Fire Department part-time about two years ago. 

All four full-time firefighters have completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Firefighter I and II training, and are certified EMTs. 

The Georgetown Fire Department was given funding by the town to hire the full-time firefighters after Municipal Resources Inc. Consulting Group conducted a study that analyzed the department’s staffing needs. In fall 2018, the consulting firm recommended that the town eventually hire six full-time firefighters to meet its staffing needs. 

“Georgetown is growing, and with a larger population and increased development in town, the Fire Department needs to evolve and grow to meet the community’s needs,” Chief Mitchell said. “We’ve also seen that it’s become increasingly challenging to staff our day shifts with part-time firefighters. It’s a huge commitment, and we need full-time staff to provide a consistent, full response.”

The four firefighters will work the Monday through Friday day-shift, two firefighters from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and two firefighters from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chief Mitchell hopes to hire two more full-time firefighters for the 2021 fiscal year. The department will continue to be staffed by full-time, part-time and call firefighters.

“This is an exciting time for our department and the town,” Chief Mitchell said. “We’ll be able to provide a more consistent response by having a group of full-time firefighters available during the day to assist our part-time and call firefighters. This is a great model that works well for the needs of the town.”

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