WESTFIELD—The city’s fire department is continuing to gain new personnel after a round of interviews resulted in another candidate being offered a position in the department yesterday.
The Westfield Fire Commission interviewed Matthew Mitchell, Ryan Chenevert and Thomas Bosari last night for a vacant firefighter-paramedic position in the Westfield Fire Department, in front of several other Westfield Fire personnel and city officials during a special meeting at city hall.
Matthew Mitchell sitting with the Westfield Fire Commission during yesterday’s interview process. Mitchell was one of three candidates interviewed for the position yesterday.
And after the candidates were interviewed and had gone through a prescreening prior to the public meeting, Mitchell was offered conditional employment by the commission.
“I’m really thankful and excited to be here,” Mitchell said. “I hope to be a good part of the team.”
Mitchell comes from a military and emergency medical services background. Previously, he said he served with the US Marine Corps for eight years, and also worked as an emergency medical technician for about three years at private companies. Most recently, Mitchell received his paramedic licensure in February of this year.
Westfield Fire Department operates ambulances at a paramedic level, and the position required the licensure.
Mitchell now has to pass a medical screening, hearing test, psychological screening and the Massachusetts Physical Abilities Test in order to be hired on the department. Following that, he must then complete the Massachusetts Firefighter’s Academy within one year of his hiring, with exceptions allowed for scheduling.
If Mitchell is successful, he will become the fourth firefighter-paramedic hired by the department this year.
