Brewster Fire Chief Moran Celebrated At Retirement Ceremony

BREWSTER – Friday, Oct. 11, crowds gathered at the Brewster Fire Station to honor Fire Chief Robert Moran and celebrate his retirement. Laughter, tears, and reminiscence from friends and colleagues encapsulated the dedication Moran has held for his community in his 14 years of service at the department.

 Prior to his service as Brewter’s Fire Chief, Moran was a firefighter in Englewood, N.J., starting when he was 17 years old. In the 47 years he has worked as a first responder, Moran served on federal search and rescue teams and helped in rescue efforts following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. He has worked ever since then to ensure that the tragedy will never be forgotten, contributing internationally to memorial efforts. 

 In the years he has served the Cape community as Brewster’s fire chief, Moran has facilitated and overseen the growth and expansion of the department and its capabilities. As stated by Deputy Chief Kevin Varley, “Over the last 14 years, Chief Moran has had so many professional accomplishments it would be nearly impossible for me to capture them all.” 

In 2018, he oversaw the completion of Brewster’s new fire station. Moran has applied his prior experience as a firefighter to bring nationally regarded training opportunities to local fire departments, and transitioned the BFD from a majority call staff to a professional staff. He played an integral role in developing the county-wide technical rescue team, and has raised over $2 million in state and federal funding to support BFD staffing, training, and equipment. 

This is not to neglect the cultural impact Moran has had on the BFD. Through his dedication, empathy, and support, Varley said, “the Brewster Fire Department has grown stronger, more efficient, more compassionate, and better prepared to serve the needs of our community.” 

 Speakers at the chief’s retirement ceremony could not stress enough the impact his character has on those around him, both within and outside of the fire department. 

“It was easy to understand why he was selected to be one of two town employees to serve [as fire chief],” said Brewster Town Manager Peter Lombardi. “What struck me right away was how smart, measured, thoughtful, and humble he was.” 

Throughout the hour-long ceremony, speakers who know Moran both professionally and personally could not stress enough the totality with which he embodies the principles of courage, compassion, and service. 

To honor Moran’s 14 years of service, State Representative Chris Flanagan and State Senator Julien Cyr presented the chief with a citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Massachusetts Senate recognizing him for his service to the community. 

Representatives of the Career Firefighters Captain Chad Folks, Firefighter/paramedic Gretchen Riley, and Firefighter/EMT Dean Smith, presented Moran with a fire jacket, helmet, and locker signed by BFD members both past and present, and the BFD awarded Moran with an engraved plaque honoring his years of service. 

Moran himself, while honored and noticeably moved by the gestures, remained humble in the words he shared Friday. 

“It’s really not about me, it never has been,” he said, continuing to stress the significance of his team. “Every day I have come to work, my main objective has been to improve the work environment for those who surround me. Adopting this servant attitude of prioritizing the safety, training, health, and wellness of the firefighters I am accountable for, has been the foundation from which many personal and organizational decisions.

 “Tomorrow, when I look in the mirror, I will be satisfied that I left the department in a better place than when I arrived. This has always been my purpose,” added Moran. 

 He said he hopes that, in his absence, the BFD will continue to practice the philosophy of selfless devotion to service and a strong team approach, putting the health, productivity, and well-being of the BFD and the constituents it serves at the top of the priority list.

“As the organization continues to provide these outstanding services to our growing community, they will need the full support of local government officials and every resident of the town,” said Moran in his closing statement. 

 As Brewster Police Chief Heath Eldredge said in his tribute to his colleague and friend, “While there will certainly be other fire chiefs to fill the position after him, there will never be another Bob Moran.”