Belmont Fire Chief DeStefano Earns Merit Bump, Contract Extended To 2028

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Photo: Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano

The Belmont Select Board approved a two percent merit pay increase to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano as part of his annual performance review at its Aug. 25 meeting. The board also extended DeStefano’s contract for an additional year to 2028. DeStefano’s salary as of October 2024 is $168,642.79.

I just like to thank the Select Board for their past support,” said DeStefano. “I look forward to working with [the Select Board] continuing in the future, [with] the town administrator and town staff as well.”

DeStefano began his career in 1989 at the North Providence (R.I.) Fire Department, becoming Belmont’s top firefighter in March 2021.

Before the board’s vote, Belmont Human Resources Director Kelli King discussed the results of DeStefano’s performance review, collated from comments by the Board and Patrice Garvin, the town administrator. In what she called a “little executive summary, the overall assessment is that [DeStefano] provides a steady professional leadership during a period of fiscal constraints and staffing challenges.”

“The theme amongst all of your comments is that the chief is a strong leader. He has great financial discipline, great financial aptitude in working within the constraints of the budget. He’s very active in engaging with the community, and he’s working on deepening the relationships internal to the department, and … being open to constructive feedback and willing to make changes, something that’s hard for a lot of other folks to do,” said King.

“He has strengthened the Fire Department through fiscal discipline, long term planning and active community engagement, while opportunities remain to deepen internal relationships and guide the department through the evolving EMS Focus model, his commitment adaptability and integrity have made him a valuable leader for the department and the town,” read the summary.

DeStefano said while the review relates directly to him, “anything that’s accomplished with the Fire Department is a team effort. I’m fortunate as chief in the town to have the dedicated firefighters that we have working hard, training hard, and putting together all the elements to make fire and life safety services happen in the town of Belmont.”

Belmont Fire Department Adds Three ‘Probies’ To Force

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Photo: Belmont’s newly hired firefighters; Daniel Keenan, Ryan O’Neil, and Kyle Forester.

Belmont’s three newest firefighters were ceremonisly pinned with their department badges at the Select Board’s final summer time meeting on Monday, Aug. 25.

Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano introduced the trio: Kyle Forester, Ryan O’Neil, and Daniel Keenan, before family, friends, residents and fellow firefighters. The three “probies” began working in Belmont’s two fire houses a month ago. The fire department now has 52 members on staff.

“Thank you for having us here tonight to meet our new members and take part in this special event in their careers,” said DeStefano. “Each comes from a variety of backgrounds and experiences that will serve to enhance their ability to protect the lives and property of the people of Belmont.”

The probationary firefighters attended the Massachusetts Fire Academy and completed an in-house training program at the Fire Department.

Forester is a graduate of Burlington High School and a veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and US Army. Forester was pinned by his wife, Tamta.

O’Neal attended the Massachusetts fire academy and completed an in-house training program at the Belmont Fire Department. O’Neal is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and UMass Lowell, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He is finishing his studies to become certified as a paramedic. O’Neal was pinned by Becca Donnelly.

A registered nurse, Keenan attended the Massachusetts fire academy and completed an in-house training program at the Belmont Fire Department. He is a graduate of Hanover High School and Plymouth State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Keenan was pinned by his mother, Sandra.

Two-Alarm Fire Damages Pleasant Street House [VIDEO]

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Photo: The fire at the corner of Pleasant Street and Alexander Avenue seriously damaged a historic house.

A historic 19th-century structure at the corner of Pleasant Street and Alexander Avenue was seriously damaged by a two-alarm fire that brought out multiple fire departments to Belmont on Sunday afternoon, March 2.

According to Belmont Fire Capt. Robert Wollner, the town’s dispatch center, received a 911 call at 1:48 p.m. from an unknown caller about a fire at 592 Pleasant St. When fire engines arrived from the nearby Belmont Center Firehouse, “smoke and fire were showing from the second floor,” said Wollner. Firefighters discovered that the two occupants in the house had escaped and were not injured.

A second alarm was soon made, bringing all of Belmont’s equipment to the site and mutual aid from Cambridge, Arlington, and Waltham, which covered both of Belmont’s firehouses.

Wollner said the fire left the dwelling “with a lot of smoke and water damage” and will force the five residents to find other accommodations “for a while” as the house – a 13-room Colonial built in 1850 and remodeled in 2001 – must undergo significant repairs.

Select Board OK Merit Pay Increases For Public Safety Chiefs

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Belmont’s public safety chiefs received merit pay increases after the Belmont Select Board conducted its annual performance review during the board’s Aug. 26 meeting.

Police Chief James MacIsaac and Fire Chief David DeStefano received two percent merit increases effective July 1, 2024. Each also collected a two percent cost-of-living adjustment on July 1. MacIssac’s annual salary increases to $218,676.14, while DeStefano’s pay is now $184,671, according to Director of Human Resources Kelli King.

Both men received high overall scores – 4.75 out of a top score of 5 – in their merit review by the three-member Select Board and Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. King summarized the comments and totaled the scores in eight categories highlighting the chief strengths, various opportunities and the board’s statements.

DeStefano was described as a “consensus builder [who] has provided much needed direction to the department, making it more innovative and successful.” His expertise is viewed as crucial in helping Belmont’s drive to stimulate new growth and increased density. While facing budget and staffing constraints, DeStefano move towards promoting department-wide paramedic training as “a promising step for addressing these challenge.”

“Chief DeStefano is seen as a strong, balanced leader who has a cohesive team and has proven to be the right person for both Belmont and the entire department,” said King.

MacIssac is “recognized as an articulate and clear sighted leader” who “takes challenges head on, regardless of their difficulty.” His commitment to modern policing is evident in his focus on promoting de-escalation techniques, the use of a social worker to resolve domestic disputes as alternative to deadly force. The board noted his leadership was “instrumental in the decision to leave civil service” which the board praised and has resulted in a substantial increase of new hires this year.

“The [police] department is a source of pride for Belmont, a reflection of Chief McIssac’s leadership and the effort of every member of the team. His exemplary performance especially over the past year and its various challenges, underscores his effectiveness,” said King paraphasing the comments of the Select Board.

Two-Alarm Fire Heavily Damages Belmont Street House

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Photo: A two-alarm heavily damaged a Belmont Street house on Feb. 15.

A two-alarm blaze heavily damaged a Belmont Street residential property on Wednesday evening, Feb. 15.

Fire crews were dispatched after a 911 call came in at 8:43 p.m., according to a press release issued by Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano. When crews arrived, heavy fire was coming from a top-floor window. The incident commander immediately struck a second alarm.

Firefighters from Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, and Arlington provided mutual aid at the fire. Station coverage was provided by Lexington and Somerville.

The fire was brought under control around 10 p.m. There were no injuries. The American Red Cross assisted the five tenants displaced by the fire.

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Belmont Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Belmont Two-Alarm Fire Heavily Damages Beech Street Multi-Story Structure

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Photo: Belmont firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire on Beech Street on Saturday morning. (Photo Courtesy Belmont Fire Department)

Belmont Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire in a multi-story structure on Beech Street early Saturday, Feb. 4, which heavily damaged the top floor.

According to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano, first-arriving crews discovered flames coming from the roof of the residential building. Six occupants of the home escaped unharmed from the two-alarm fire.

With the assistance of mutual aid partners from the Arlington, Cambridge, Waltham, and Watertown fire departments, Belmont firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately an hour. Extensive overhaul operations were required to check for hot spots.

“Extreme cold creates additional challenges in fighting a fire, and this fire was no exception,” DeStefano said in a press release. “I wish to commend our firefighters for their terrific work and professionalism in below-zero temperatures and minus-35[F] wind chill, and especially our mutual aid partners for their timely response and support.”

Belmont, Firefighters Agree To Five Year Contract

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Photo: Select Board OKs five year contract with Belmont Firefighters.

The Select Board voted Monday, Jan. 9 to approve two contracts that will cover approximately 50 firefighters, paramedics and EMTs until June 30, 2026.

“This is a reasonable agreement for the town and for the union as well,” said Select Board Chair Mark Paolillo.

The first of two Memorandum of Understanding with the members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1637 runs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 includes a two percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) as well as annual stipends of 1.5 percent for paramedics and EMTs.

The second agreement between town and employees is a series of four annual contracts begin on July 1, ’22, ’23, ’24 and ’26 with a two percent COLA each year with a paramedics and EMT stipend of 1.5 percent in the first three contracts than falling to one percent in each of the remaining agreements.

Firefighters will also receive a $2,000 one-time payment funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The town was able to negotiate biweekly pay schedule which will add efficiencies with the payment department and adding the Juneteenth holiday to the package.

The Police Officers union is the final labor contract of town employees currently being negotiated. According to Belmont Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, who had helmed the contract negotiations for the town, a final contract for the police public safety should be presented before the Select Board “in the next couple of weeks.”

Belmont Fire Holding Open House On Saturday, Oct. 1

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Photo: The open house is this Saturday

The Belmont Fire Department will be holding an Open House at its headquarters located at 299 Trapelo Rd. on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join members of the Fire Department for demonstrations and hands on activities. Visitors of all ages will enjoy checking out various firefighter equipment, a friendly dose of fire safety education, and much more. Pizza and soda will be available. Come and join the department’s firefighters and fire department staff for this community event.

Belmont Fire Pins Newest Member

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Photo: New Belmont Firefighter Mike Nolan has his badge pinned by his wife, Brittney.

Belmont Fire added its newest member – for a second time – to the force at a pinning ceremony at the Select Board’s meeting Monday, Sept. 12.

Three years ago, Mike Nolan joined the Belmont Fire Department before heading off to another department a year-and-a-half ago, according to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano.

“He has since decided that the Belmont Fire Department is the place to be and we’re glad to have him,” said DeStefano.

Nolan had his badge pinned for the second time by his wife, Brittney. The pair was married just five weeks before – honeymoon in St. Lucia – the event at Town Hall.

Nolan will be a “proby” for the next year.

From left: Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano, Asst. Chief Andrew Tobio, BFF Mike Nolan, Select Board member Roy Epstein, Brittney Nolan, Select Board members Adam Dash and Chair Mark Paolillo, Brian Nolan, Terrie Nolan and Ashley Tworig.

Welcome: Belmont Fire’s Newest Jake Pinned At Board Ceremony

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Photo: Mark Thompson (right) pinning his son Alex’s firefighter’s badge during a Town Hall ceremony Aug. 15

With fellow firefighters, family and friends and town officials in attendance, Alex Thompson joined the Belmont Fire Department at the Select Board’s meeting on Monday, Aug. 15 at Town Hall.

A former Marine who completed his certificate at the Massachusetts Firefighters Academy, Thompson recently completed several weeks of evaluation, orientation, and training in Belmont and was recently added to the operation division and was assigned to Unit 2.

Fire Chief David DeStefano presented Thompson with his probationary helmet shield which will donate him as a probationary firefighter – or ”probie” – for the next 12 months and his father, Mark, affixed his badge on his son.

“As I’ve said before, a firefighter’s badge should be earned and pinned by a person is important to that firefighter’s life,” said DeStefano.

Welcome Firefighter Thompson: (from left) Asst. Chief Andrew Tobio, Fire Chief David DeStefano, Beth Thompson, Mark Thompson, Firefighter Alex Thompson, Caroline O’Leary, Select Board’s Roy Epstein, Adam Dash and Chair Mark Paolillo.