Westfield Fire Deputy Chief James Kane stands under the Westfield Fire Department’s certificate of affiliation when the department first joined the union. Kane served as union president, captain, and deputy chief throughout his 36 years with the department. Feb. 25 was Kane’s last day on the job before retirement. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
WESTFIELD – Deputy Fire Chief James Kane spent his last day on the job surrounded by family, which isn’t hard to do when you’re a Westfield firefighter named Kane.
James – Jim to most people – had his brothers Pat and Tom, also retired from the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) and his nephews Pat and Chris, current WFD members, by his side.
“There have been at least two Kanes on the fire department since 1950,” said Jim, 60, who said it was time to retire.
When he joined the WFD 36 years ago, he was following the footsteps of his uncle Pat and father Tom, as well as his brothers. For Jim, it was continuing a family tradition of helping others. And, it was exciting.
“For the first 15 years, when the bell went off, I’d jump on everything,” he recalled. “There is still excitement when the bells ring.”
Although the job is still thrilling at times, Jim said he would not miss hearing those tones go off at night.
“I won’t miss working nights. I will miss the guys and the camaraderie,” he said.
In his more than three decades at the WFD, Jim saw numerous changes, especially in technology and training.
When Jim started out, there was no fire academy.
“It was on the job training then,” he said. “My first night I learned how to do the hydrants and the chief told me to stick close to him.”
The job was physically demanding.
“The hoses were heavy,” he said. “They were brass and you would be exhausted just trying to hold it steady. Today they have plastic parts and there are nozzles you can just turn on and set the hose right on the ground.”
Changes in technology have changed the way firefighters approach fires. From firefighting technology to vehicles that are more high-tech, Jim said it all means more training.
And today’s cars are saving lives, he said.
“There was one year that my team alone had 12 fatalities,” said Jim about car accidents. “It used to be that you’d have to replace a fender or a bumper and the car was fine, but the driver was deceased. Today, the car is totaled but the passenger compartment is intact and the people come out okay.”
Over the years, Jim wore several hats, including union president, captain, and deputy chief.
Jim said farewell to his colleagues during a quiet lunch Thursday where he took some good-natured ribbing from Pat and Tom, and gave it right back.
For now, Pat and Chris are continuing the family tradition and keeping the Kane name in the WFD, and Jim plans to spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren at their vacation home in Maine.
