BCAT News

The Burlington Fire Department has a new Firefighter/Paramedic but it is a familiar face. 

On Monday evening, Assistant Town Administrator John Danizio appointed current Fire Department dispatcher Thomas Cardwell to the position of Firefighter/Paramedic at the recommendation of Chief Mike Patterson during the Board of Selectmen meeting. The board voted unanimously to waive the standard 15-day waiting period for new hires. 

Chief Patterson said Caldwell is a Burlington resident and a member of the Burlington High School Class of 2008. He has been a Civilian Fire Dispatcher with the department since July 2019 and previously was an EMT Supervisor at Action Ambulance Service. He is a graduate of Salem State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Chief Patterson added that Caldwell is a certified emergency medical dispatcher, has earned his Paramedic Certificate through Northern Essex Community College and completed his required Paramedic Ride Time Hours at Burlington Fire Department where he worked closely with the Firefighter/Paramedics on the ambulance. He is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, MA Certified Paramedic and is ACLS and PALS Certified (Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support). 

“He’s done a great job for us over the past 20 months,” Patterson said. “He has a great knowledge of how Burlington Fire Department operates. He’s certainly well respected and well liked by all members of the department.”

The chief also acknowledged that Caldwell had to undergo his training with the added difficulty of doing so during a pandemic. He said this set things back a bit but that Caldwell was persistent and able to get it done. 

Members of the board welcomed the new Firefighter/Paramedic. 

“I had the great pleasure of working with Tom for about 12 -14 months before I retired,” Selectman Mike Runyan said. “Tom was certainly well liked and well respected in the department and I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”

Selectman Jim Tigges, who lives near Caldwell’s family, said he always likes to see Burlington residents get hired by the town. 

“As always I love seeing when one of our new hires comes from within town. I know his family well and he comes from a long line of public service. I like seeing when such a qualified candidate comes from our own town. Congratulations, Thomas, and welcome.” 

Chairman Joe Morandi, who said he has known Caldwell since he was a small child wearing firefighter boots and a hat in his barber shop, said he was proud of him. 

“You’re a great kid, you deserve this,” he said. “You’ve always wanted to be a fireman and I couldn’t be prouder of you. You always wanted to do this job and your grandfather (former firefighter) would be very proud of you right now.”