EASTON — Fire Chief Kevin Partridge is retiring this fall, but will stay on as interim chief until his replacement, as well as a new deputy chief, are hired.
Partridge, who succeeded former fire chief Thomas Stone in January 2012, will retire Oct. 21, but will continue as interim chief until June 30, 2021. During this time he will also work with Town Administrator Connor Read to hire a new chief and fill the open deputy chief position.
A deputy chief should be selected by Read and Partridge by January 2021. The new chief should be chosen by Read by February 2021. Partridge would then be available for a transition period with the new hires.
The select board unanimously approved an interim contract with Partridge Monday evening. His current salary is approximately $2,800 per week. Once he becomes the interim, he will be paid a flat rate of $2,200 per week. He will also continue to receive a monthly stipend of $850 as emergency management director, according to Read.
Partridge started his fire services career at age 18 as a volunteer firefighter for the Swansea Fire Department in 1984. He was named a full-time firefighter when he joined the Berkley Fire & Rescue Department in 1986.
He served as fire chief in Berkley and Avon, as well as director of Homeland Security for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, before coming to Easton. He also was president of the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association.
“He’s served as a critical member of Easton’s leadership team throughout his tenure,” Read said. “He has really been an effective and aggressive advocate for his department.”
Partridge worked to restore positions in the Easton Fire Department lost during the recession, Read said. The department went from 34 firefighters, 18 of whom were medics when Partridge started, to a current roster of 43 firefighters, with 39 medics.
He “dramatically” expanded ambulance services and capacity, Read said. The department had one paramedic ambulance and one reserve ambulance in 2011; it now has three paramedic ambulances.
Ambulance runs have nearly doubled during Partridge’s tenure from 1,283 to 2,458 a year, Read said. Ambulance revenue has also increased from $604,770 to $1.5 million.
“And at the same time our reliance on other communities for mutual aid has dropped,” Read said.
Read said the town was also fortunate to have Partridge as chief during the coronavirus pandemic.
“You’ve truly been a wonderful partner and I would not want to do a pandemic with anyone else,” Director of Health and Community Services Kristen Kennedy said.
Police Chief Gary Sullivan said Partridge is "a true professional and have shown tremendous leadership."
“He’s someone you can always count on at all times,” Department of Public Works Director David Field said.
Partridge said he was stepping down now in order to be able to enjoy his retirement with his wife and family.
He expressed thanks to many, including all town administrators and staff.
“Each and every one of them has been awesome to work with, no matter what kind of emergency we faced,” he said.
Partridge also thanked the select board, the community emergency response team, as well as members of the Easton Fire Department.
“They are truly professionals and I’m proud to be their chief,” Partridge said. “I hired 25 of the 42 members of the department. It was a pleasure to see each of you sworn in. It was a pleasure to serve this community and work with you all.”
Select board member Charles King praised Partridge for pursuing grants and fostering a sense of community with events like the annual fire station open house and smoke detector awareness at Stonehill College.
“The town of Easton is no question better off for you having served it,” select board member Marc Lamb said.
Select board Chairperson Dottie Fulginiti praised Partridge for his support for Wings of Hope, which addresses substance use, restoring fire department staffing and being among the first chiefs in the area to reach out to help other communities.
“You’re someone we can depend on,” she said. “You’ve always been there for us.”