Last day on job for Swampscott fire chief

SWAMPSCOTT – This is the last day on the job for Fire Chief Richard Carmody, a 32-year veteran of the department.Carmody, who said he prefers the trenches to the limelight, shrugged off his accomplishments during his career.?What I’ve been able to accomplish here is because of the excellent people I’ve worked with,” he said. “I want to thank the men and women of the Swampscott Fire Department for working with me and for their support. I have to thank my wife and family for the support they have given me through my 32-year career. I couldn’t do it without them.”Carmody said he has been to hundreds of fires in career but didn’t care to discuss individual fires.?All the fires I’ve been to big and small ? they stay with you,” he said. “Everyone who works with me knows the most important thing is the safety of the people I work with and the safety of residents.”Carmody, who joined the department in 1976, was promoted to captain in 1984 and appointed chief in January 2005.Carmody said there have been changes in firefighting over the years but the job remains the same.?I still have my leather helmet from when I first came on the department,” he said. “A lot has changed and there is some new equipment but the job is still the same. You try to save lives and property. You get in there, get people out and put the fire out.”Acting Deputy Chief Michael Champion, who will be acting chief as of Tuesday morning, described Carmody as a “firefighter’s firefighter.”?I’ve worked with Chief Carmody his whole career,” he said. “We were both appointed captains at the same time. He likes the job and has always liked the job. He’s a hands-on chief. “Firefighter William Hyde Jr., who is president of the firefighters union, agreed Carmody is a top-notch firefighter and all around good guy, who will be missed.?He’s a guy you want on your side and watching your back,” he said. “He’s a damn good firefighter and has a good heart. He was good guy to work with and was for the men. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.”Hyde recounted an incident when Carmody, who was still a captain at the time, wasn’t on duty. Hyde said a lieutenant was acting captain at the scene of a fire at 225 Humphrey St., which was so bad the smoke was visible from the fire station.?Dick (Carmody) was off that night,” he said. “He was at home when the alarm sounded and came in on his own. He wasn’t called back in. That’s just the kind of guy he is. I was on the ladder truck and I can honestly say I was quite relieved when I saw him (Carmody) come running up the street in his gear. It was a joy and relief to see him running up the street.”Carmody, who said he plans on doing some traveling and relaxing after retiring, said what he’s going to miss most is the camaraderie among firefighters.?I will miss the close knit group of people I work with,” he said. “They are an excellent group and I have enjoyed working with them. They made my job easy.”