Westborough Fire Chief Joins Leadership Of Fire Chiefs Association

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough's fire chief was selected recently to join the leadership of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts organization. Westborough Chief Patrick Purcell is now the second vice president of the statewide association.

Here's more from a Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts news release:

The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) is pleased to announce that Chief Peter Burke has been sworn in as the new FCAM president, along with 17 new officers.

FCAM held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 17 at the Hyannisport Golf Club in Hyannis. During the meeting, incoming President Chief Burke of the Hyannis Fire Department was sworn in by his father, retired Swansea Fire Chief Peter Burke.

Chief Burke succeeds FCAM President Jim Vuona, Chief of the Shrewsbury Fire Department, who served as the organization's president for the past year.

"It's been an honor and privilege to serve as president of such a great organization," Chief Vuona said. "I look forward to working with our new President Peter Burke as I serve as the Association's Immediate Past President for the next year. During this time, I am committed to helping and supporting Chief Burke in every way possible - just as those before me did when I became president."

As president, Chief Burke will work to further the professional advancement of the fire service in Massachusetts to continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of firefighters.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve as the next FCAM President and I am looking forward to working with our board to continue our important work," said Chief Burke.

In addition to Chief Burke's swearing-in, new officers from each district statewide were sworn in during the meeting. There are 15 fire districts in Massachusetts and each district has a representative on the FCAM Board of Officers.

The new officers sworn in include:

• 1st Vice President Chief Michael Kelleher (Foxborough Fire Department)
• 2nd Vice President Chief Patrick Purcell (Westborough Fire Department)
• Chief David LeBlanc (Harwich Fire Department)
• Chief Scott Duffey (Rockland Fire Department)
• Chief Richard Arruda (Dartmouth Fire Department)
• Chief Timothy Bailey (Norwood Fire Department)
• Chief Thomas Dion (Uxbridge Fire Department)
• Chief Steele McCurdy (Groton Fire Department)
• Chief Christopher Coleman (North Attleboro Fire Department)
• Chief David Hurlbut (Sterling Fire Department)
• Chief Joseph Cuneo (New Salem Fire Department)
• Chief Michael Spanknebel (Hadley Fire Department)
• Chief Michael Andrews (Wilbraham Fire Department)
• Chief Craig Pedercini (Williamstown Fire Department)
• Chief Keith Stark (Weymouth Fire Department)
• Chief Jason Ferschke (Natick Fire Department)
• Chief Michael Mansfield (Andover Fire Department)

Among the several speakers were former Chief Vuona, past FCAM President Michael Winn, FCAM Secretary and Treasurer Jack Parow, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, and FCAM Government Affairs Director Bill Scoble.