Thursday, January 25, 2018
This morning during a ceremony in the Mahogany Room of Symphony Hall, Bernard “BJ” Calvi was sworn in as Springfield’s new Fire Commissioner. Attending the ceremony were Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.
Commissioner Calvi was selected for the role in October of 2017 after an extensive interview process led by Mayor Sarno, Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations Atty. William Mahoney, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer TJ Plante and Chief of Staff Denise Jordan.
“Commissioner Calvi succinctly and directly answered all questions and scenarios with a strong command and vision to take our Fire Department to the next level – he’s a go-getter – very well versed in dealing with firefighting and community engagement. Our city and I look forward to working with Commissioner Calvi as he leads our brave and dedicated firefighters to not only save lives and structures, but also in his preventative and proactive leadership initiatives too,” said Mayor Sarno.
“I look forward to continuing the unique partnership that the Department of Fire Services and Springfield have. Co-housing the fire training division with state staff and resources at the renovated DFS Springfield facility benefits us, the city, the Springfield Fire Department, and all the fire departments in western Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.
“I am looking forward to leading the Springfield Fire Department into the future, and working with its members to serve this great city,” said Commissioner Calvi. He further stated, “I would like to thank Mayor Sarno for entrusting me to lead the Fire Department and be part of his management team. I am also looking forward to working with the city’s department heads and the City Council to continue to make Springfield a great place to work and live.”
Previously, Commissioner Calvi served as Agawam’s Deputy Chief since 2012. He joined the Agawam Fire Department in 1995 as a firefighter and was named Lieutenant in 2002. Commissioner Calvi is a certified paramedic and has completed multiple training programs through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute, the Center for Domestic Preparedness, and the Security and Emergency Response Training Center and the International Association of Arson Investigators encompassing terrorism and explosion response, scuba rescue, electrical systems, safety on scene and more.
His professional memberships include the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, New England Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Arson Investigators Massachusetts Division and the Massachusetts Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians.
Commissioner Calvi will have a starting salary of $145,000 with a 5-year contract. His starting date was Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
MassLive: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/springfields_new_fire_commissi.html#incart_river_home