Selectmen Approve New Hires for Fire Department

Erik Bailey and Colin Ryle will join the Walpole Fire Department after the Board of Selectmen interviewed and unanimously approved the hiring of both men. The vote was in line with the recommendation given by Fire Chief Timothy Bailey.

As required by the department, both men are paramedics, a quality that selectwoman Nancy Mackenzie believes strengthens Walpole fire.

“It’s an opportunity to get candidates with stronger medic history and the more the medic experience they can bring to Walpole is really going to make a difference when they are answering the call whatever it is,” Mackenzie said.

Bailey and Ryle were two of three finalist selected for the positions. According to Chief Bailey, there were 28 applicants and nine were chosen for interviews. Eight were interviewed as one did not show up.

The opening was originally for one position but a recent resignation created a need for a second hire.

Bailey’s passion for the job started while studying economics at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. After joining the Amherst Fire Department as a volunteer student firefighter, he decided on a new career path. He brings seven years of fire and EMS experience to the job. 

Now living in Salem, Bailey said he plans to move closer to Walpole as soon as possible.

Originally in the construction business, Ryle switched to EMS work after being pushed to give it a chance by family members who were nurses. A Norwood native now living in Walpole, Bailey has six years of experience in EMS and 1.5 years as a paramedic including some experience doing backup 911 for the City of Boston.

Chairman Michael Gallivan asked Bailey what triggered the switch in college, wondering how one makes such a drastic change in a career patch. 

“The the most important thing was the brotherhood. The culture in firefighting is unmet. You can’t ask many people to pick up your kids, go fight a fire, and go to a barbecue the next day,” Bailey said.

When asked for his best quality, Ryle touched on his ability to have a one on one conversation with someone when more information about an injury or incident is needed.

“I have a very good ability to form a relationship with a patient. My bedside manner sorta allows me to interview a patient and have a good rapport to get answers from a patient,” Ryle said.

Bailey will start on July 17 while Ryle will report to work on July 23. Both men will serve as paramedics until they complete their training with the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. According to Chief Bailey, a backlog of firefighters needing to attend the academy could push the Bailey's and Ryle's training to January.