Richard Stefanowicz has been selected as the Deputy Fire Chief of the Southwick Fire Department. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Fire Department has selected a Deputy Fire Chief for their career force. During this week’s Select Board meeting the board appointed Richard Stefanowicz as the Deputy Fire Chief.
Historically, the department has had a Deputy Fire Chief on the call force, but never on the career force. The difference is that on the career force, the Deputy is involved in the day to day operations and management of the department. The Deputy on the call force is a volunteer position.
A lieutenant at the Granby Fire Department in Granby, Mass., Stefanowicz has spent 18 years as a firefighter. He’s also been a firefighter in both the Longmeadow and South Hadley fire departments.
When the board was trying to make their decision towards the end of their meeting, they asked Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson for a recommendation. Prior to becoming chief in Southwick in February of 2016, Anderson was the Fire Chief at Granby Fire Department, where Stefanowicz works.
Anderson believed that his familiarity with Stefanowicz would be a benefit.
“He’s come into his own and he’d be a strong candidate,” said Anderson. “I’ve worked with him before and I know what he can accomplish.”
Throughout the interviewing process for the position, the top six candidates went through an assessment center, which is scenario-based and challenges the individuals in the categories of fire, medical, and inter-personal skills. Anderson noted that Stefanowicz recorded the highest score on the assessment.
“They (assessment experts) purposely rattle your cage,” said Anderson. “That carries a big weight in my mind.”
Select Board Vice-Chairman Russ Fox made the recommendation to appoint Stefanowicz as he felt most comfortable with making that decision.
“He’s been working with communities similar in size to Southwick,” said Fox. “He knows the area.”
Clerk Doug Moglin would recommend Ronald Dowdy Jr., but Chairman Joe Deedy would be the deciding factor and voted in favor of Stefanowicz.
Fox acknowledged how tough the decision was.
“It’s a tough one because it’s three quality people,” said Fox.
Prior to the regular agenda for the Select Board meeting, interviews were held for the three finalists, consisting of Stefanowicz, Dowdy Jr., and Michael Gonynor. Dowdy Jr. has been a Deputy Fire Chief for Montgomery County in Maryland. Previous to that, he was a lieutenant for 10 years. Gonynor is a firefighter/paramedic at Southbridge Fire Department, and was also a member of the Auburn and Douglas Fire Departments during his career.
Stefanowicz will bring a variety of experience to the Southwick Fire Department. Joining the Hampshire County Fire Department Training Association in 2002, Stefanowiz would end up being the lead instructor and organizer until 2013, training over 100 firefighters during that time.
Pointing out his experience more with being a firefighter than on the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) side, Stefanowicz discussed the importance of EMS.
“Once you learn you can make a huge difference in someone’s life, it takes on a huge role,” said Stefanowicz.
The Deputy Fire Chief will also be a paramedic and one of their main responsibilities will be to handle the EMS (Emergency Management Services) operations within the department.
The Southwick Fire Department is also in the process of transitioning from BLS (Basic Life Support) to ALS (Advanced Life Support). Anderson said that the department is at least one year away from completing that transition as the application for ALS won’t be sent in until the Deputy Fire Chief is on board.
