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Our Mission

The mission of the Westport Fire Department is to protect life, property, and the environment from fire, medical emergencies, hazardous materials, natural disaster, and terrorist related incidents.

 

We will do this through emergency mitigation, code enforcement, public education, and training.

Our Team

The Westport Fire Department consists of 36 professionals serving under the leadership of Chief Dan Baldwin

CHIEF OFFICERS

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Daniel K. Baldwin

Fire Chief | Paramedic | EMA Director

Chief Baldwin joined the department as a call firefighter in 1995 and was appointed a career member in 2004. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2011, Deputy Chief in 2018, and to Chief in 2024. He is an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration, specializing in Fire and Emergency Services. He holds various Pro-Board certifications, including Firefighter I/II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Chief Officer III, Fire Prevention Officer (Basic), and Fire Prevention Officer I Credential. He is a graduate of the 2022-2023 Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program conducted in partnership with the UMass Boston Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management. In 2019, he received the Massachusetts Fire Chief Accreditation. He is trained in IS-700 NIMS, IS-800 NRF,  ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400. He was a former member of the department Honor Guard. Chief Baldwin was the First Firefighter to receive the Firefighter of the Year Award in 2007.
 
Department awards include: Achievement, Tiverton FD Commendation, 2 Meritorious Service Awards, Firefighter of the Year 2007, and 2 Life Saving awards.

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Mark A. Brisk

Deputy Fire Chief | Paramedic

Deputy Chief Brisk joined the department as a call firefighter in 2000 and was appointed to a career position in 2003, promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, Captain in 2022, and Deputy in 2024. Prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief, he was the head of the fire department’s busy Fire Prevention/Code Compliance Office from 2019 to 2024. He holds an associate's degree in fire science. He is charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the fire department. He is a certified Haz-Mat Technician, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II, and Fire Prevention Officer I Credential.  He is also a member of the Fire Department Honor Guard and a member of the department Training Team.
 
Department awards include: Achievement. Commendations: Meritorious Service

ADMINISTRATION

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Haleigh Lowney

Administrative Assistant

Haleigh joined the department in 2021 and serves as the administrative assistant to the Chief’s Office. She holds an associate's degree in business management and a bachelor's degree in accounting.

CHAPLAIN

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Kate Galop

Chaplain

Kate Galop serves as chaplain for the department and has been on the EMA team since 2018. She works to help organize and assist in all administrative areas

CAPTAINS & LIEUTENANTS

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Keith Nickelson

Fire Captain | Paramedic

Captain Nickelson is a second-generation firefighter who began as a call firefighter in 1994. He was appointed as a career member in 1999, became Lieutenant in 2018, and Captain in 2021. Captain Nickelson serves as a member of the department's Training Team. Captain Nickelson holds various certifications as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He currently serves as the shift commander for Group 1.

Department awards include; Achievement, Education, Tiverton FD Commendation, and Life Saving.


Email: 
captnickelson@westport-ma.gov

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Robbie Greene

Fire Captain | Paramedic

Captain Greene joined the department as a career firefighter in 2016, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2021, and Captain in 2024. He started his fire service career as a firefighter with Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 in 2006. He currently serves as the Shift Commander of Group 4. He is a MassachusettsEMT-Paramedic certified as FF I/II, Fire Officer I/II, Fire Instructor I, FPO-Basic, and has an Associate degree in Fire Science. He is a member of the Department’s Honor Guard and the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Darren Nunes

Fire Prevention Lieutenant | Paramedic

Lieutenant Nunes joined the department as a call firefighter in 1997 and was appointed to a career position in 2000. In 2018, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and in 2024, he was assigned to Fire Prevention and Code compliance. Lt Nunes is also a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Lt Nunes was instrumental in organizing and training the Department’s Honor Guard Unit, recognized as one of the finest FireDepartment Units in the area. He was selected as Firefighter of the Year in 2010.

He served in the United States Navy and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

Department awards include; Achievement, Military Service Navy, Tiverton FD Commendation, Firefighter of the Year 2010,  and 2 Life Saving Awards.

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Anthony Ward

Fire Lieutenant | Paramedic

Lieutenant Ward joined the Fire Department as an on-call firefighter in 2000 and was appointed to a career position in March 2006 and to Lieutenant in 2024. He is a Pro-Board-certified graduate of the Massachusetts Fire Fighter Academy. He holds an Associate degree in Fire Science from Bristol Community College, a Bachelor's degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College, and a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science/Cardiac Rehab from Bridgewater State College. Firefighter Ward is a Technical Rescue Specialist and has been an active member of the Bristol County TechnicalRescue team since 2011. This team requires additional advanced training in multiple disciplines, with mutual aid deployments. He is also a trained USAR Medical Specialist. He is an instructor at the Department of Fire Services, Mass Fire Academy in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Firefighter Ward is a member of the department's Honor Guard and Training Division.

Department Awards: Achievement, Tiverton FD Commendation, and Life Saving.

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Michael Teixeira

Fire Lieutenant | Paramedic

Lieutenant Teixeira joined the department as a call firefighter, serving from 2005 to 2011, following his father as a second-generation firefighter for the Town. He was appointed a Career Firefighter in 2016 and promoted to Lieutenant in 2024.  He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He is a Pro-Board certified Firefighter I/II, Fire Instructor I, and Fire Officer I. He holds an Associate degree in criminal justice and is currently finishing his Associate's degree in Fire Science.

CAREER FIREFIGHTERS

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Glenn Nunes

Firefighter | EMS Officer | Paramedic

Firefighter Nunes joined the department as a call firefighter in 1994 and was appointed to a career position in 1997. He has served as the department’s Emergency Medical Services Officer since 2010.

Department award; Tiverton FD Commendation


Email: ffgnunes@westport-ma.gov

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Matt Cowell

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Cowell is a second-generation firefighter who began as a call firefighter in 1990. He was appointed as a career member in 1999. He currently works on Group 4.

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Paul Duhon

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Duhon joined the department as a call firefighter in 1997 and was appointed to a career position in 2003. Firefighter Duhon received the Chiefs Cross in 2008 for his work in preserving the history of the Westport Fire Department. Firefighter Duhon is a Registered Nurse and holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science & Nursing.

Department awards include; Achievement, Education, and the Chiefs Cross.

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Andrew Ferrarini

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Ferrarini joined the department as a call firefighter in 2005 and was appointed to a career position in 2006, and is a member of the Fire Department Honor Guard. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Department award-Achievement.

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Andrew Raymond

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Raymond joined the department as a call firefighter in 2005 and was appointed to a career position in 2009. Firefighter Raymond is also a Registered Nurse. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Department awards include; Achievement and 3 Life Saving Awards.

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Robert Porawski

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Porawski is a second-generation firefighter. His father was a member of the Freetown Fire Department and his father-in-law is a retired Captain of the Westport Fire Department. He joined the department as a call firefighter in 2007 and was appointed to a career position in 2012. Firefighter Porawski is ProBoard certified in Fire Instructor I & II. He is also a Massachusetts-certified EMT Instructor/Coordinator, an American Heart Association ACLS, CPR and First Aid Instructor, and a Public Education Instructor by the Department of Fire Services. He plays an important role as a member of the Bristol County Critical Stress Debriefing team. He is the recipient of the 2009 Firefighter of the Year award, and in 2012 he received the Paramedic of the Year award from the Greater Fall River Emergency Medical Services Council. Firefighter Porawski currently serves as the Union President, for the Westport Permanent Firefighters Association. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Class of 2012.

Department awards include; Achievement, Firefighter of the Year 2009, and Life Saving.

 

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Ann Marie Peckham

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Peckham joined the department as a career firefighter in 2015 after serving 8 years with the Somerset Fire Department. She oversees the department’s highly successful “WestportCares” program, which assists our town’s seniors in maintaining a safe, healthy, and independent lifestyle in the comfort of their homes. She was instrumental in starting the department’s first junior fire explorer program, where she currently serves as the post advisor. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

She started her fire service career as a junior firefighter with Dartmouth Fire District No. 2

 

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Christopher Caswell

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Caswell has served as a Call member since 2005 and was appointed to a career position in 2017. He holds Pro Board certifications for Firefighter I/II, Fire Instructor I, and Fire Officer I. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Isaiah B. Manley

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Manley is a fourth-generation firefighter. He joined the department as a Call firefighter in 2016 and was appointed to a career position in 2018. He holds Pro Board certifications in Fire Instructor I & Fire Officer I, as well as a Master's degree in Public Administration from Anna Maria College. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Department awards include; Achievement, Recipient of the Martin H. McNamara Award

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Weston Thurston

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Thurston is a second-generation firefighter. His father was a Little Compton Volunteer firefighter for 15 years. Firefighter Thurston joined the department as a Call Firefighter in 2013 and was appointed to a career position in 2018. Before his appointment in 2018, he worked for Fall River Fire Department’s EMS Division as a paramedic on Medical Rescue 4. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He is Pro-Board certified Firefighter I/II, Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I.

Firefighter Thruston received his Eagle Scout Award in 2022.

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Christopher Pritchard

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Pritchard has been a Call firefighter since 2017. He was appointed to a career position in July of 2019. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

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Todd Nunes

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Nunes was appointed to a career position in 2020. He is a paramedic and a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Matt Farias

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Farias was appointed to a career position in 2020. He is a paramedic and a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Amy Doar

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Doar was appointed to a career position in 2021. She is a paramedic and a graduate ofthe Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Steven Tabares

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Tabares was appointed to a career position in 2021. He is a paramedic and a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

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Ryan Silvia

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Silvia has been serving as a call firefighter since 2020 and was appointed to a career position in 2024. He got his start in the fire service in 2016 when he joined the Westport Fire Explorer post. He is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and a Massachusetts Call / Vol fire academy graduate.

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Brody Pelletier

Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Pelletier joined the department as a call firefighter member in 2021; he was appointed to a career position in 2024. He is a Massachusetts Career Firefighting Academy graduate and is a Pro-Board certified Firefighter I/II. He also has a bachelor's degree in political science and legal studies from Wheaton College. Firefighter Pelletier is currently studying to become a certified Paramedic.

CALL FIREFIGHTERS

Call firefighters provide additional EMS and firefighting support to the town during emergencies. 

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Lt. William Baraby

Call Firefighter | Fire Investigator

Lt. Baraby joined the department as a Call Firefighter in 1978 and was appointed to a career position in 1983. Retiring from the career department in 1999, he continues to serve as an arson investigator for the department.

Department awards include; Achievement and Education

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Todd Mackay

Call Firefighter | EMT

Firefighter MacKayhas been serving as a Call member since 2002.

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Chad Vaillancourt

Call Firefighter | First Responder

Firefighter Vaillancourt, a second-generation firefighter, has been serving as a Call member since 2002.

Department awards include; Achievement and Tiverton FD Commendation

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Cody Smeaton

Call Firefighter | First Responder

Firefighter Smeaton has been serving as a Call Firefighter since 2020. He currently holds a RedCard certification in wildland firefighting. In addition to his call firefighting duties here in Westport, he has worked on the Massachusetts Wildfire Out of State Crew to fight wildfires across the United States and Canada from 2019 to 2022. During the same years, he worked for the Massachusetts DCR Fire Control, District 3, out of Freetown. He is currently working for theU.S. ForestryService at Nine Mile Ranger District stationed in the Lolo National Forest in the state of Montana. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Call/Vol Firefighter Academy.

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Dylan Soares

Call Firefighter | First Responder

Firefighter Soares has been serving as a Call member since 2020. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Call/Vol Firefighter Academy. Before becoming a Call firefighter, Firefighter Soares was a firefighter explorer in Westport at the start of 2016, then was promoted to Explorer Lieutenant in 2017 and the Explorer Captain in 2018

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Justin Raulino

Call Firefighter | Paramedic

Firefighter Raulino joined the department in 2021 as a call firefighter/paramedic. He is also a full-time firefighter for the Somerset Fire Department.

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Evan Willard

Call Firefighter | EMT - Basic

Firefighter Willard has been serving as a Call Firefighter since 2022. He is currently a full-time firefighter/EMT for the neighboring Town of Little Compton, R.I. He is a 2022 graduate of the Rhode Island Career Firefighting Academy.

EMA | Special Services

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Roger Maynard

EMA | Special Services

Roger Maynard has been one of the primary coordinators for EMA since 2011; prior to that, Roger was an on-call firefighter from 1978. Roger’s skillset, direction, and passion for making a difference have helped to grow the team over the years and bring it where it is today.

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Bryan Moniz

EMA | Special Services

Bryan Moniz serves on EMA as one of the primary coordinators and was an on-call firefighter for many years. Bryan brings vision, support, and passion for helping others and appreciates making a difference in the community and beyond. He has been with EMA since 2011.

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Camden DeMedeiros

EMA | Special Services

Camden DeMedeiros became a part of the EMA team in September of 2018 while also involved in the Fire Explorer program and has used his skills and abilities to help enhance the EMA team over the last few years.

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Ken Reilly

EMA | Special Services

Ken Reilly has been in the fire service for many years serving from 1979 to his retirement in 2019. Ken has been involved with EMA since 2019 and truly appreciates serving the community and making a difference.

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Sue Maynard

EMA | Special Services

Sue Maynard became a part of the EMA team in 2018 and has been integral in many ways, especially by assisting those in need at structure fires and other various events.

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Linda Nickelson

EMA | Special Services

Linda Nickelson has been a member of the EMA teamsince November 2017 and has been instrumental in ensuring the team’s effectiveness and all those who the team serves on the department and in the community.

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Jonathan Correia

EMA | Special Services

Jonathan Correia joined EMA in 2018 while completing his last few years as a Westport Fire Explorer. He enjoys helping people and making a difference within the community and surrounding communities with his energy and time.

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Ken Minglola

EMA | Special Services

Ken Minglola has just recently joined EMA and brings a lot of experience and ideas to the EMA team based on his past work and volunteer involvement with FEMA and other national organizations.

The Emergency Management Agency Division (EMA) helps support the community by setting up shelters, helping evacuate citizens during emergencies, and providing rehab support to firefighters during calls.

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