ATHOL – During Tuesday night’s Selectboard meeting, Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera introduced the latest addition to his department.

Firefighter/paramedic Natan Hagopian will be filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Art Shepardson.

Guarnera said Hagopian joined the fire service in 2005 as a call firefighter/paramedic in the Town of Berlin, where he worked for 11 years. He then served in Belchertown for five years, after which he worked as a per diem paramedic in Winchendon.

“Since 2013, (Hagopian) has worked at EasCare Brewster Ambulance, where he served as paramedic field training officer,” Guarnera said. “He has his associate degree in fire science from Middlesex Community College. He is a certified Fire Office 1 and Fire Officer 2, Instructor 1, and Fire Prevention.”

Guarnera continued, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Nate, before he came here, as a student in my classes at the fire academy, and as one of my top recruits at the fire academy in 2006.

Nate is a great asset to the department. He’s an all-in-one firefighter/paramedic, so he was an easy fit. It worked out well. His background and everything came out flawless, and we’re glad to have him on board. He’s going to be an asset to the department, as well as to the town.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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