CLARKE ROBINSON
SOUTHWICK – Clarke Robinson is the newest fulltime member of the Southwick Fire Department.
The Southwick Select Board members unanimously selected Robinson after a public interview process Tuesday.
Robinson, who has already been serving the SFD as an EMT, is one step away from obtaining his paramedic certification.
“I passed the written test and I have my practical exam Sunday,” Robinson said.
Robinson is not yet a firefighter but is set to attend the fire academy, which takes up to three months to complete.
Deputy Fire Chief Richard Stefanowicz recommended Robinson when asked by board members for input.
“To be honest, we need paramedics,” he said.
Firefighter/EMT Josh Girard, who is also a member of the SFD, also interviewed for the position. Girard is beginning the paramedic course Sept. 4. Paramedic certification can take up to two years to obtain and Stefanowicz said they need paramedics now.
The SFD became an Advanced Life Support service department July 1 and needs to hire two more firefighter/paramedics. Robinson is filling an opening created when Eric Brogan left the SFD.
Stefanowicz said both Robinson and Girard were “very capable.”
“They bring different skill sets,” he said, “but if I had to make a decision right now, I’d choose Clarke Robinson.
Selectman Joseph Deedy agreed and said he was concerned that Girard was just starting paramedic courses and noted that there would be two more positions and Girard would be further along in his certiacfication when it came time to hire.
When asked why he should be chosen over Girard, Robinson stated that he had nothing negative to say about his co-worker. However, Girard did tout his medical experience.
“I have more experience in EMS, but I don’t have as much experience in fire,” he said.
Girard has a degree in Emergency Medical Service Management from Springfield College and spent nine years as a lifeguard and lifeguard manager before joining the SFD two years ago. “I definitely bring that experience with me,” he said.
Robinson said he plans to be a career firefighter/paramedic and listed the attributes of a firefighter/EMT as honest, kind and caring.
