FIRE CHIEF/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR Glenn Davis (center) along with officials and the project team cut the ribbon during Fire Headquarters’ grand opening ceremony on Oct. 24. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The community celebrated the grand opening of the new Fire Headquarters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Oct. 24.
Voters approved the $63.5 million public safety and Town Hall project in December 2022, which included constructing the new three-story, four-bay Fire Headquarters next to the existing South Fire Station in South Lynnfield.
“This is a very special day for our department and for our community,” said Town Administrator Rob Dolan. “Former Massachusetts governor and the 30th president of the United States Calvin Coolidge said that, ‘there is no nobler profession than to be a firefighter.’ He said this in 1923. One hundred years later, our small, beautiful town celebrates that statement in action by building a state-of-the-art facility for the firefighters and for the people of Lynnfield.”
Dolan thanked residents for voting to approve the $63.5 million public safety/Town Hall project three years ago despite dealing with “inflation and uncertainty in economic markets.”
“That is a very rare thing nowadays,” said Dolan. “People are thinking of the greater community over their own personal needs. I know some people voted yes while having financial struggles, but they chose Lynnfield over that household issue. We can’t thank them enough.”
Dolan thanked Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis, Police Chief Nick Secatore, and current and former firefighters for working on and supporting the Fire Headquarters project.
“Our men and women do an incredible job,” said Dolan.
Dolan also thanked the Select Board, the Public Safety Building Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, town department heads and other local officials for their work on the Fire Headquarters project.
“This is your day as much as it is for anyone wearing the uniform,” said Dolan.
Dolan also thanked the project team from Tappé Architects, owner’s project manager PMA Consultants and general contractor Commodore Builders for the firms’ work on the project.
“This was not an easy project,” said Dolan. “The first month was incredibly harrowing. After careful examination, we found some contamination and PFAS in the dirt. There were some new regulations that set us back. They got us through it.”
Dolan thanked Secatore and Firefighter/Dispatcher Steve Groussis for working on Fire Headquarters’ information technology. He also thanked the Department of Public Works (DPW) employees who worked on the project, particularly Director John Scenna who also serves as the Public Safety Building Committee’s chair.
“This building at some point should have the name John Scenna somewhere on a brick,” said Dolan.
After the National Anthem was played, St. Vasilios Church Rev./Fire Chaplain Christopher Foustoukos gave the invocation.
“This is not just a place to store our gear,” said Rev. Fousoukos. “This station houses our department as a family.”
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford said the new Fire Headquarters is a “vital addition to our community’s safety and well-being.”
“Today is more than just the unveiling of a building made of bricks-and-mortar,” said Crawford. “It represents our shared commitment to public safety, to faster emergency response and to supporting the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting ours. This new facility is not just a work place. It is a home for our firefighters, a place where they will eat, sleep, train and prepare to respond at a moment’s notice 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. It has been built with modern equipment, enhanced response capabilities and the kind of infrastructure that reflects the professionalism and readiness of our fire service.”
Crawford thanked Lynnfield firefighters for their service to the community.
“Your courage, your resilience and your service are what this station exists to support,” said Crawford. “Every siren that sounds from this location will be backed by our unwavering respect and gratitude.”
Crawford also thanked town officials, the project team and “everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life.”
“Your work will make a lasting impact for generations,” said Crawford. “Let this fire station be a symbol not just for safety, but of community: A place where neighbors know they are protected and where our firefighters know they are supported. With that, it is my pleasure to officially declare Lynnfield Fire Headquarters open and operational. May it stand strong, serve well and keep our community safe for many years to come.”
House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) congratulated the community on Fire Headquarters’ opening.
“This is a very important day for the community,” said Jones. “Thanks goes to the taxpayers of Lynnfield for stepping up and investing in what is a multigenerational commitment to the town of Lynnfield. This is important to the surrounding towns. I live in North Reading, and I have seen Lynnfield firefighters providing mutual aid in North Reading. The investment Lynnfield made here serves all of the communities on the North Shore. We appreciate the sacrifice and we appreciate the service of the men and women who work in this building and serve the community. This is a great day for Lynnfield.”
State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), who attended the ceremony with his children Ellie and Nate, also congratulated the community on Fire Headquarters’ grand opening.
“We have seen these type of projects get derailed pretty easily, but everyone stepped up because the town of Lynnfield has always prioritized public safety,” said Crighton. “Thank you to everyone who played a role, especially all of the firefighters here today. Thank you for keeping us safe every day. This building certainly reflects the commitment of the town.”
While Congressman Seth Moulton was unable to attend the ceremony due to the government shutdown, Dolan thanked him and his Regional Director Tom Arsenault for helping Chief Davis and the Fire Department receive a $1,199,469.08 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last fall. The SAFER Grant was used to hire four additional career firefighters and is paying the full cost of salaries and benefits of the four positions for the next three years.
“The SAFER Grant is an incredibly competitive national grant that helps communities with staffing that otherwise wouldn’t be able to go over the bridge to get to a proper staffing level,” said Dolan.
Dolan recalled that the Fire Department is a combination department comprised of career and call firefighters.
“As time goes by for call fire departments, it is harder to get people to get up at 3 a.m. to go to someone’s house,” said Dolan. “We still have incredible men and women who do that, but very few communities in this country get this grant. Glenn applied for it every year, and always said we didn’t get it. We actually got the grant. We were able to hire four firefighters to maintain two pieces of equipment at all times 24-hours a day, seven-days-a-week. That is incredible.”
Tappé Architects Principal Charlie Hay said it was a “great privilege” for him and his firm to work on the Fire Headquarters project with Lynnfield officials. He also thanked Bob Mitchell and his firm, Mitchell Associates Architects, for designing the building.
“You absolutely have a state-of-the-art project,” said Hay. “You should be very, very proud of where your commitment has gone. It really is a top-shelf facility.”
Commodore Builders Vice President Jim DiMarzio agreed.
“The new Fire Headquarters stands as a symbol of Lynnfield’s commitment to safety, service and your community,” said DiMarzio. “It will allow your firefighters to respond more efficiently, train more effectively and serve Lynnfield with pride for generations to come.”
Davis said Fire Headquarters’ grand opening is “a proud moment for our firefighters, our town officials and, most importantly, every member of our community.”
“Today, we don’t just celebrate the opening of a new building,” said Davis. “We celebrate a new chapter in our commitment to safety, service and preparedness. This fire station is a promise: A promise that we will always strive to protect our neighbors, our families and our homes. This station stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. From the Strategic Planning Committee chaired by Joe Connell, to our design and construct teams, to Fire Department personnel and all the community members who advocated for this very project. Your hard work and dedication have made this vision a reality. Thank you to everyone who played a role in bringing this dream to life.”
Davis said the new Fire Headquarters is “equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, ensuring our brave firefighters have everything they need to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies.”
“But what truly makes this station special is the people inside of it: The men and women of the Lynnfield Fire Department who risk their lives every day to keep us safe,” said Davis. “Your courage, your professionalism and selflessness inspire us all. I am deeply grateful for your service.”
Davis said the new Fire Headquarters is “more than just a hub for emergency response.”
“It is a place for education, outreach and building relationships,” said Davis. “It is where children will come to learn about fire safety, where neighbors will gather during community meetings and events, and where we will continue to strengthen the bonds that make Lynnfield resilient. As we cut the ribbon today, let us look forward with hope and confidence. We know that our community will be safer, stronger and better protected because of this new facility. May it stand for many years as a symbol of unity, bravery and public service. Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to this important milestone. Together, let’s continue to support our firefighters and each other today and always. Congratulations to all. Welcome to your new Lynnfield Fire Headquarters.”
The ceremony’s attendees gave all of the speakers a round of applause.
After Rev. Foustoukos gave the closing prayer, Davis, officials and the project team cut the ribbon for the new Fire Headquarters, officially marking a new era in the town’s history.
Dolan invited the community to attend an open house at the new Fire Headquarters on Saturday, Nov. 1, taking place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
“We will open this building for all 13,000 citizens of this community so they can see what they paid for and feel the pride we feel today,” said Dolan.