This week, Manchester Fire welcomed our two newest full-time members:
Firefighter/Paramedic Jonathan Carabello
Firefighter/Advanced EMT John O’Grady
Both firefighters are fire academy-trained. FF Carabello brings extensive experience as both a firefighter and paramedic, while FF O’Grady is an Advanced EMT who is approximately three-quarters of the way through paramedic school.
Why is this milestone so important? It allows Manchester Fire to maintain a minimum of four firefighters on duty, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—allowing us to meet initial federal firefighter safety standards.
Each shift now has an officer and four firefighters assigned. This staffing model helps maintain appropriate coverage when members are on vacation, attending training, or otherwise unavailable, while avoiding a significant increase in overtime costs.
This staffing level strengthens our ability to:
🚑 Respond to simultaneous emergencies without delaying service to our residents
🔥 Begin interior firefighting operations more quickly when conditions require
🧑🚒 Provide a safer working environment for our firefighters
🏠 Enhance the emergency services we provide to our community
We cannot thank Manchester’s residents, Town Administrator, Select Board, and Finance Committee enough for their continued support.
Please join us in welcoming FF Carabello and FF O’Grady to the Manchester Fire family!
We hope you never need us—but if you do, please call. We look forward to continuing to provide the exceptional emergency services our community deserves and can be proud of.
