The Westborough Select Board has voted to appoint Fire Capt. Daniel Hehir as chief, replacing the recently retired Patrick Purcell.
The appointment is conditional upon successful contract negotiations.
“I love the town,” Hehir, 51, said Thursday, Aug. 13. “Ever since I’ve come here, I never looked back, and I’ve never looked anywhere else. I’m very excited about being a chief.”
Purcell retired earlier this month after 27 years with the department.
Hehir was one of two finalists interviewed by the Select Board on Tuesday. Fellow Westborough Fire Capt. Roger Busha was the other. The board only opened the position up to internal candidates.
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Hehir on Tuesday told the board he got the firefighting bug at an early age.
“As a young guy, I was always intrigued to go down to the fire station with my parents … the big glass doors, I saw the fire trucks — I knew someday that there would be an opportunity for me,” he said.
Westborough's Patrick Purcell retires after 11 years as fire chief
Hehir said he joined the Sterling Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter at age 14, and became an EMT at 18; he later earned his paramedics certification. He also earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fire-related degree programs. Hehir is a member of the Fire District 14 critical incidents team.
He worked at UMass Memorial/Worcester Emergency Medical Services before joining the Westborough Fire Department in 2002. He became a lieutenant in 2016 and captain in 2021.
Friendly, easy-going 'until I have to be that other guy'
Hehir told the Select Board that he was involved in the department’s budget process last year and has been on the department’s capital needs committee. He also said he works with grant writing and training.
He also told the board that he works well with others and submitted a host of letters from people in the community who were impressed with him after dealing with him for various reasons.
“I’m a friendly, easy-going guy — until I have to be that other guy,” he told the board. “I wouldn’t say I’m God’s gift to firefighting, but I have that presence where people believe in me and that pushed me along the way.”
Southborough, Westborough fire departments will explore becoming one
After a discussion, the board voted unanimously to name Hehir as chief.
On Thursday, he said regionalization is among the things he will work on, including construction of a regional dispatch center and the possible regionalization of fire services with Southborough.
“I’ve been in the fire service for over 30 years,” Hehir said. “I’ve just been around it my whole life. I’ve been preparing myself for this role. I’m just excited to have a job and have a sole focus on our organization. I think we have a great organization. I have big shoes to fill.”
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerJournalist.