AMHERST — An assistant fire chief and a captain for the Amherst Fire Department were sworn into new positions Monday morning.
Jeffrey Olmstead is the new assistant fire chief, taking over for Donald McKay, who retired last week after more than 40 years with the department, while Steven Chandler will succeed Olmstead as a permanent captain.
Before the promotions, McKay was feted Friday afternoon for his service by current and former members of the department at the Central Fire Station.
McKay, who spent 26 years as a fire captain, oversaw the department’s inspection program and fire prevention programs, and played a role in creating the tactical EMS program that works with the Amherst and UMass police departments.
The promotions of Olmstead and Chandler will give the veteran firefighters a chance to take what they have learned from their predecessors and chart a new path for the department, said Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson.
Nelson added that both got support from their families in pursuing a challenging career. “All it means is hard work pays off,” Nelson said.
Olmstead said he is honored to be one of the department’s two assistant fire chiefs, joining Lindsay Stromgren in that role, and he appreciates the advice he received from McKay.
“He’s been a big help in getting me ready for this,” said Olmstead, a member of the department for 22 years, the last 14 as captain.
In his new role, Olmstead will be in charge of EMS operations. This means overseeing the five ambulances that serve Amherst and University of Massachusetts, and the surrounding towns of Hadley, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury.
He will also handle fire prevention, including making sure new construction and renovations, off-campus student housing and the homeless shelter are safe and habitable.
Chandler, who had been an acting captain since June, is one of eight permanent captains.
“I’ve been working for this for a long time. I knew I wanted to be a captain,” said Chandler, who has been with the department for just over 10 years.
Chandler will be a shift supervisor and make decisions when fire engines are deployed to scenes of fires, crashes and other incidents. He will be based at the Central fire station, supervising three to five firefighters each shift.
The two were sworn in by Town Clerk Sandra Burgess.
Nelson said the promotions were made following a written exam, interviews, and reviewing their resumes and backgrounds.
“It’s very intense, but I’ve got great people,” Nelson said.
He presented a gift to Chandler at the ceremony – a framed photo of Chandler napping, in his home, after spending hours studying for the the promotional exam.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
