A celebration and Chief’s vehicle parade was held at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12 to celebrate the retirement of Chief Kevin Partridge. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
A parade of fire, police and other official vehicles, with their lights and sirens activated, traveled a short distance through town before arriving at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Fire officials arrive at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12 as part of the Chief’s car parade. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Retired Chief Kevin Partridge is presented with a commemorative plaque with an American flag and a firefighter’s axe attached at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Retired Chief Kevin Partridge speaks at the ceremony at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Deputy Fire Chief Jon Carroll speaks at the ceremony at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President and Taunton Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw speaks at the ceremony at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Retired Chief Kevin Partridge is honored with a plaque from the Easton Select Board during the ceremony at Easton Fire Station 3 on Wednesday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Easton Fire Department)
EASTON — The Easton Fire Department is pleased to announce that many fire chiefs from the region, local firefighters and police officers, state and local officials, Easton’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and members of the community gathered Wednesday to celebrate the retirement of Chief Kevin Partridge.
*Click here to watch a video of the Chief’s car parade on Wednesday, May 12.*
Partridge retired in October 2020 after a 36-year career in fire service. He has remained with the department on an interim basis which concluded Wednesday.
He served with the Swansea Fire Department, Berkley Fire & Rescue and Avon Fire Department before becoming chief in Easton in 2012.
“Easton’s been a wonderful place to work and I’ve been honored to have led this great department,” Partridge said during his speech at Wednesday’s event. “Every department is different, but the common denominator is the people who go out there and do the job.”
The farewell celebration took place at Easton Fire Station 3. A parade of fire, police and other emergency response vehicles, with their lights and sirens activated, traveled through the town before arriving at the station. As is tradition, one by one the vehicles drove through the department’s parking lot as Chief Partridge waved to his fellow chiefs and well wishers.
Following the parade, a ceremony took place with several speakers to honor Partridge. The speakers included many local and state officials, including Town Administrator Connor Read, State Rep. and Majority Leader Claire Cronin, State Sen. Walter Timilty, State Sen. Michael Brady, State Rep. Carol Doherty, Easton Select Board Chair Dottie Fulginiti and Easton Police and Fire Service Medical Director Dr. Hank Crowley.
Speakers from the fire service included State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President and Taunton Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw, Easton Fire Deputy Chief Jon Carroll and Easton Firefighters Local 2790 President Jason Healey and Vice President Chris Mills.
Each speaker talked about Partridge’s many contributions to the Easton Fire Department throughout the years and their personal connections with him.
Partridge was honored with a citation each from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Massachusetts State Senate in recognition of his dedication and years of service, as well as a plaque from the Easton Select Board and framed recognition letter from State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque with an American flag and a firefighter’s axe attached by Healey and Mills.
Partridge closed the ceremony speaking about his history in the fire service and thanking his family and those who have helped him throughout his career, as well as the fire chiefs from around the region who attended.
“With becoming a chief over 20 years ago I’ve had the honor of working with many different fire chiefs and that is one of the things I’ll cherish,” Partridge said. “I thank you and appreciate everything we’ve done together. It’s been an honor to serve as a fire chief with all of you.”
He also thanked Easton’s firefighters for their continued hard work and commitment to the community:
“The bottom line is that we’re all here to help the residents of Easton. Everything I tried to do was keeping that in mind to make the department the best it could be and make sure you were safe and able to do your job,” Partridge said. “I’m proud of the accomplishments and improvements we’ve made in the department and I know I’m leaving it in great condition.”
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