HANSON – The Select Board welcomed two new firefighters to the Hanson Fire Department on Tuesday, Sept. 17 with the appointment of Colby Silva, whose children Emma and Gabe did the honors of pinning on their mom’s new badge.
Silva’s husband Justin, who is an Abington firefighter, and her parents Lisa and Paul Eldridge also attended.
“Colby came to us via Halifax Fire,” said Fire Chief Robert O’Brien Jr. “Her father in-law is a retired Plympton fire chief, so firefighting runs in their blood.”
Colby Silva, herself, had been an ER nurse, but was bored being an ER nurse, so she became a cardiac cath lab nurse, which also bored her, O’Brien said. She eventually became a paramedic.
“She like the excitement of it,” he said. “Colby’s actually very successful, she came to me because I’m trying to do [mesh] operations. I said I need a grant writer and Colby said ‘I want to come and be your grant writer, and I want to write a grant for cancer screening for the fire service.’”
She applied for a $50,000 nationwide competitive grant and the department was rewarded a grant to fund cancer screening within the department.
After receiving a warm round of applause for that success, O’Brien invited her to come forward to be sworn in by Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan. Silva, who is quite tall, then knelt on one knee so her children could pin on her new badge.
“I would like to thank Colby, who assisted me after our May Town Meeting,” said Town Administrator Lisa Green. “I was very ill and she sat in the back of the ambulance with me and really made me feel very comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and welcome to Hanson.”
O’Brien also introduced new firefighter Dan McKale to the board for his swearing-in.
Born in East Bridgewater, McKale now lives in Marshfield and was accompanied by his grandmother, Diane, and his parents Ray and Michelle. His mother and younger sister Emily pinned on his new badge.
“Dan was a brand-new paramedic when he came to work with us,” O’Brien said, noting he had worked with Brewster Ambulance before. “It’s ironic, because I think Dan sees as much action in Hanson as he does in Brockton, believe it or not. He’s amazed at what he’s seen. He’s an excellent firefighter and an excellent addition to his shift.”
O’Brien said McKale’s shift backs up what they learn on calls with constant training.
“We just want to thank all of you guys,” said Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “We say it [but] we may not say it enough. We appreciate everything you do. We’re so proud to have you work for the town of Hanson – every single one of you.”