Charlie Breitrose
Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio said announced he has filed for retirement on Tuesday night.
Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio told the Town Council Tuesday night that he has filed for retirement.
Orangio has served as Fire Chief for more than 13 years, but he has decided to step down.
“I have some health issues,” Orangio said. “It is time to pass the reins.”
The Fire Department has been selling T-shirts to raise money to help Orangio and his family as he battles cancer, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Quinn said at a previous meeting.
Town Manager Michael Driscoll said that he remembers appointing Orangio as a firefighter in 1989, and when be became a lieutenant in 1997, a captain in 2000 and then chief in 2004.
Driscoll said, “Strength of character is what makes a person a truly great person.” He added that Orangio has demonstrated that, and has shown dedication to the Fire Department, the town and his wife and daughters.
“Chief, thank you for a job well done,” Driscoll said.
Town Council President Mark Sideris thanked Orangio for all that he has done as chief.
“From the start to here, you’ve had some challenges,” Sideris said. “You have done the job in a way that made us proud.”
Orangio said he made a goal of having the Watertown Fire Department run its own ALS paramedic service when he became chief. The effort stalled during the economic downturn in the late 2000s, but this February Watertown’s first ALS ambulance went into service.
The retirement must be approved, so Orangio said he expects to be working another “couple months.” Watertown hires using the civil service system. It has not been announced how the new Fire Chief will be chosen, but when Michael Lawn was appointed the Police Chief in 2016 he was selected from candidates within the Watertown Police, and applicants were tested and then finalists went through an assessment center to see how they would react to real-world situations.
Thank you chief Mario for everything ! We support you and your family . God bless you .
I have known Mario since our days at the Browne School. He was always a very kind and soft-spoken person I wish you much luck Mario God bless you, your wife, your daughters, and your beautiful granddaughter. Thank you for all your years of service!
From all the members of the LynnFire, and from me personally Mario, good luck, congratulations, and thank you for your support and encouragementwhen I took the Chief’s in Lynn. Continue to fight the good fight. God Speed
Jim McDonald
LynnFire
Thank you Chief. You’ve made Watertown a safer, better place.
Thank you so much Chief Mario Organgio for all your years of deciation and a job well done. You will be missed, but go battle that cancer and kicks its butt! Love to your wife, children and Grandchildren. God speed!!!!
Mario, thanks for all the years of fine service to Watertown!
We will miss you and we wish you well in your retirement.
Thank you for your service to our community – god bless you and your family – ❤️
Best wishes Mario. Any FD would have been well served to have a gentleman like you as chief.
Thank you Mario for all of your support related to the work on opioid use and overdose prevention. You are a down to earth and practical leader in this community!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Sunderland, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
Best of luck to you, Mario, as you move onto the next phase of your life! You have served Watertown’s and other fire departments in an honorable and dedicated fashion for many years. I was fortunate to have been one of your teachers at the Browne School, Grade 6. Take care! Many blessings to you and your family!