Well wishers gather in front of the Westfield Athenaeum March 30 as firefighter Ted Drummey is driven home on his last day on the job. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Thomas “Ted” Drummey wasn’t expecting much fanfare his last day of work March 30.
A Westfield firefighter since 1987, Drummey figured the usual celebrations on a firefighter’s last day would be suspended due to the coronavirus. Imagine his surprise when he climbed on an engine for the last time for a ride home – another tradition for retiring firefighters – pulled out of the station on South Broad Street, and saw a line of people around Park Square Green waving and holding signs while standing apart.
“It was very surprising,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting the hoopla.”
Normally when a firefighter retires, they enjoy a final dinner with co-workers, then his or her family comes to the station as the firefighter climbs into an engine for a ride home. Drummey said with social distancing, he did not expect his family to join him, let alone many others.
Ted Drummey gives a thumbs-up to people gathered around the green March 30, 2020, his last day as a city firefighter. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“My phone was blowing up all day,” Drummey said. “I didn’t know anyone was there.”
The send-off was orchestrated by Drummey’s significant other, Juanita Carnes.
“She got me,” he said.
He was most surprised that his 8-year-old grandson was there to cheer for him.
“When I talked to him on Sunday he congratulated me,” Drummey said.
The popular firefighter said that growing up in Marlboro, he admired his community’s firefighters.
“I’d go by the station and they were always out front, talking,” he recalled.
He became an EMT and worked in Springfield. He moved to Westfield and applied for a position with the Westfield Fire Department. On April 1, 1987 he and several other longtime WFD members were called in as reserves.
“We learned on the job,” he said, noting that he became an official firefighter Jan. 4, 1988 and was assigned to C Group, where he chose to stay throughout his career.
When asked about significant moments in his career, Drummey said much of it was “really kind of a blur.”
“I’ve probably responded to thousands of calls, and I remember about a dozen,” Drummery said. “The average person would not believe the things we see and experience.”
Many of those experiences are tragic and Drummey said firefighters have to have a love for what they do and be able to “push down” those bad moments and remember the times they made a difference.
A line of people cheer for retired firefighter Ted Drummey as he is driven home on an engine March 30, 2020, his last day as a Westfield firefighter. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“From having a bat in the house to a structure fire, people call the fire department when they need help,” he said. “I got so many calls from people this week that I didn’t realize I’ve helped.”
Drummey, who is usually called “Gus” by his fellow firefighters, said he will miss his colleagues and their banter.
“We laugh all day,” he said. “It’s not like it is on TV. If they really want to make a show about firefighters it would be centered around the kitchen and laughter.”
Drummey said his retirement plans, once the pandemic is cleared, include helping his son with projects in his new home, projects at his home, and spending time with family at their house in Maine. He also hopes to rekindle his relationship with his inner artist.
“I enjoy woodworking and drawing with pen and ink,” he said.
Drummey said his advice to anyone who wants to become a firefighter is to also become a paramedic and, simply, keep trying.
“Firefighting is a young person’s job, but don’t give up if it’s what you want,” he said.
Drummey said he is proud of his service.
“It has been a privilege to work the greatest job in the worls in a great city,” he said.
