WESTFIELD-For lifelong resident Mary Regan, being an integral part of the Westfield Fire Department for 31 years has been “a calling.”
“It’s a calling, no question,” said Fire Chief Regan in her office during a recent morning interview.
Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan will wrap up her career with the Westfield Fire Department July 6. She stands next to Engine 4 – the latest in the WFD’s fleet.
Regan, who officially retires July 6, has a unique distinction with the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) – in 1987 she was the first female firefighter hired and in 2011, she became the city’s first female chief. Throughout the years she rose through the ranks and became captain in 1997 and deputy chief in 2003.
Regan grew up in the city and was active in athletics throughout her school years. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1974, and went on to major in physical education and health and recreation at Springfield College. After graduating in 1978, she got involved with a sports shop and then became co-owner of New Horizons Bikes in Westfield for close to six years with her brother-in-law Don Podolski.
Of course, being a member of the Westfield Fire Department was always in the back of her mind because her father, Daniel Regan, had served from 1950 to 1970, until he sustained injuries in a Northside accident and had to retire, and her brothers, Kevin and Christopher, were also an integral part of the department. Captain Christopher Regan has worked for the WFD for 31 years and is at Station 3 on Southampton Road. Kevin Regan had served with the WFD for 41 years until he was killed in an accident in West Yarmouth in 2014.
“I’ve had tremendous support from my family and I had a lot of confidence to go in the direction I went in,” she said.
Regan noted there were a lot of “friendly faces” she knew when she joined the fire department in 1987. She first served as a reservist beginning on April 1, 1987, and became a permanent employee on Aug. 18, 1987.
“I understood it was progressive for the city when I was hired,” said Regan, adding she didn’t want to be the focus of attention since another firefighter had been hired at the same time. “It was a big change for some of the older guys, but I learned to pick my battles and then I was one of the guys.”
Over the years Regan said she has noticed that more women are interested in serving as firefighters.
“Women felt the department was a safe place,” said Regan, noting that currently there are six women firefighters in the department, including one serving as a captain.
Throughout the interview, Regan said that the fire service is an “evolving profession” and she thanked city residents for their support in helping the department meet challenges “by providing us with the best equipment and more importantly the best trained firefighters.”
Learning the intricacies of equipment and ongoing training has always been at the forefront of Regan’s priorities for the firefighters.
“I believe our firefighters are some of the best trained and compassionate members of the fire service that you can find,” said Regan.
While balancing budgets has always been a challenge, Regan said she has been fortunate to work with community leaders and mayors who have understood her requests.
“You know what your risks are and use the money you are given in the best way,” said Regan. “Departments are asked to do more with less and we have found creative ways to keep people safe and provide services to the public.”
Among her most rewarding moments include writing grants that have successfully saved the city money and allowed, in particular, the department to purchase state-of-the-art turnout gear for firefighters facing hostile environments.
City projects and acquisitions that have also benefited from Regan’s tenacity have included major renovations to Station 2 on Little River Road which will provide better service in that area, setting up a private dispatch center, updating the sprinkler and security systems at headquarters, hiring firefighters, replacing four ambulances, purchasing a new tower truck and mechanic truck, and replacing several staff vehicles.
“My last big project is our custom built Engine 4 which arrived just before Memorial Day,” said Regan. “The public first saw it during the Memorial Day Parade and Mayor Sullivan will do an official hose down before it goes into operation.”
As Regan contemplates her next life chapter – she does not have any particular “bucket list” items to cross off immediately. Her favorite sports include golfing at The Ranch in Southwick and skiing in Vermont.
“I love the four seasons,” said Regan, adding that Westfield will always be her home.
Regan has also been an active member of the community over the years and is currently a member of the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. In her current role as chief, she also has served for the last three years as chair of the Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition, has served as president of the Western Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, and as a member of the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association and the Hampden County Fire Chiefs Association.
“Being a member of these groups has been a great opportunity to meet with fire chiefs who you can seek feedback from and bounce ideas off,” said Regan.
Regan said she feels “extremely humble” to have been given the opportunity to lead the department.
“Having been educated in the Westfield Public Schools and a student athlete in this community, it was with great pride that I have been able to serve this community,” said Regan. “I hope in some small way I have been able to give back for all of the great opportunities I have had growing up here in Westfield.”
Regan added she has “loved every minute” of being a part of the Westfield Fire Department.
“I’ve always tried to do what is in the best interest of the department and the community and sometimes that can be making hard choices,” she said, adding, “but I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do.”
When asked if she had advice for future chiefs – that was an easy answer.
“It’s all a team effort,” she said.
