Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and city officials joined this afternoon at City Hall, as Mayor Sarno and members of our Springfield Fire Department recognized and thanked Fire Commissioner Bernard J. (“BJ”) Calvi for his brave and dedicated service to our Springfield.
Mayor Sarno also proudly announced that Deputy Chief of Department Operations Miguel “Mike” Rivera will serve as our next Springfield Fire Commissioner. Rivera will be Springfield’s First Latino Fire Commissioner, and second Latino Cabinet Head in the Sarno Administration, with City Clerk/Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola Lopez being the first.
Mayor Sarno states, “This is a very proud moment for our city. I am proud to announce that a lifelong proud resident of Springfield, a graduate of Putnam Vocational Technical High School, a brave military veteran, and someone who has spent his career serving our Springfield Fire Department, working to keep us all safe, Miguel “Mike” Rivera, will be our next, and the city’s first Latino Springfield Fire Commissioner. Prior to coming on as our Springfield Fire Commissioner, when I tapped BJ, he had been serving as Deputy Chief of Operations over at Agawam. Now we have another Deputy Chief of Operations once again assuming the Commissioner role. I am confident that it will be a smooth and seamless transition.”
Commissioner Calvi was sworn in as Springfield’s Fire Commissioner on January 25, 2018. 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. He has served as President of Western Mass Fire Chiefs, President of Hampden County Mutual Aid Association, President of Hampden County EMS, as an Executive Board Member of Western Mass EMS, and served as a member of Western Regional Homeland Security Council.
Mayor Sarno states, “Bittersweet, but I am deeply grateful to Commissioner Calvi – ‘BJ,’ for his tremendous service to our Springfield as the ‘hands-on’ leader of our Fire Department. From running out of a black-tie event in his tuxedo to help put out a fire, to constantly advocating to ensure his fellow firefighters and department had the proper tools, equipment, and training to respond to fires and dangerous situations to save lives and save structures, to working a massive four-alarm blaze last summer at the scrap metal yard in East Springfield and containing it within a few hours, and recently fighting the 5 alarm fire in in South End, to supporting community events throughout the city, and inspiring our next generation of first responders speaking with EMS and paramedic graduates as someone who has been in their shoes – Commissioner Calvi has always demonstrated his dedication to protecting our Springfield community. I’d also like to thank BJ’s wife, Carrie for her ongoing support. Commissioner Calvi’s unwavering courage, resilience through challenges, compassion and empathy for others, and a drive for lifelong learning and advancement have helped move our fire department and city forward. Especially during COVID-19, as Commissioner Calvi and our brave and dedicated SFD were instrumental in our pandemic emergency response. Thank you, Commissioner Calvi for your bravery and commitment to our city and our Springfield Fire Department. Good health and God Bless.”
During his time leading the Springfield Fire Department, Commissioner Calvi oversaw the merger of Fire and Police dispatch into a collocated operation, designed and implemented Narcan program with hundreds of lives saved to date, successfully applied for over 1.5 million in grant funding, hired 132 firefighters who are still serving today, and increased firefighter safety with equipment upgrades and advanced trainings. Under his tenure, Commissioner Calvi implemented an Arson and Bomb Dog program as well as a drone program, and EPI-Pen program. He also developed and put in place a Tactical Athlete program with Springfield College to increase firefighter safety and reduce injuries. Starting out as a paramedic, and serving as a firefighter for over thirty years, Commissioner Calvi is a career-first responder and his bravery, service, leadership and training have saved countless lives. Thank you, Commissioner Calvi, for your service.
Miguel M. (“Mike”) Rivera, a proud military veteran, currently serves as Deputy Chief of Department Operations for our Springfield Fire Department. Rivera is a proud lifelong Springfield resident and graduate of Putnam Vocational Technical High School. Rivera has served our Springfield Fire Department for more than 17 years. He served five years on the SFD Rescue Squad, as a Bomb Technician on Bomb Squad, as a Lieutenant, assigned to Truck 1, as well as Captain, serving in the Training Division before commanding Truck 4, and most recently as District Chief, serving District 2, with a focus on hands-on leadership development, team building, and multi-company training.
“Congratulations to Deputy Chief Rivera and family,” said Mayor Sarno. “It is important to note and celebrate these historic ‘firsts’ when someone has broken a glass ceiling. Deputy Chief Rivera’s work history and work ethic are unquestioned. He was the best person for the job, and he also happens to be a proud Latino. We have one of, if not the most, diverse Fire Departments – top to bottom - in the state, and our department reflects our community. Again, a very proud moment for our city and another shining example of post-secondary success emerging from our Springfield Public Schools.”
“As I move on from serving as your Fire Commissioner, I want to express that serving in this role and working alongside you on behalf of our city has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and hope that I have left a positive effect on the Department and the City. I have given this position my all, and my commitment to the Springfield Fire Department and community remains strong. Congratulations to incoming Commissioner Miguel Rivera, and Godspeed,” Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi stated.
Deputy Chief Rivera states, “I want to thank Mayor Sarno for his confidence and belief in me. I am honored to serve as Springfield’s first Latino Fire Commissioner, recognizing the importance of this milestone, while remaining committed to representing every member of the Department and every resident of the city of Springfield.”
