Swampscott adds two jakes to roster

SWAMPSCOTT – Two new firefighters are ready to roll today.Joining the Swampscott Fire Department is a dream come true for Billy Vousboukis and Mike Bagnell.Vousboukis, 26, is a Lynn native and lives in Swampscott. Friday morning when he was picking up his gear at the fire station he said he’s thrilled to join the department.?I have been wanting this for a long time,” he said, “There’s nothing I’d rather do than be a firefighter in Swampscott. I’ve wanted to be a firefighter since I was a kid. I feel very very lucky I was able to get on the department in the town where I live.”Vousboukis was formerly employed at Meatland in Lynn and he also worked for Paradise Construction in town. He currently has his own construction business Workhorse Construction, which is based in Swampscott.Bagnell, 27, is a Swampscott native currently living in Marblehead. He was most recently employed as a 911 dispatcher in Marblehead and was equally enthusiastic about his new position.?I can’t wait to get out from behind a desk,” he said. “I have wanted to be a firefighter since I was a kid. This is my career and I want to be here for a long time. I grew up here in town and am looking forward to being a firefighter here.”The two vacancies in the department were when former Chief Richard Carmody retired and Lt. David Marsh left for employment elsewhere.Fire Chief Michael Champion said Vousboukis and Bagnell are welcome additions to the department.?They are both energetic,” he said. “They will be training for the next couple of weeks with Deputy Kevin Breen and going to the (state firefighting) academy at the end of September.”Champion said the two new firefighters would report to the academy on Sept. 29 where they would undergo 12 weeks of intensive training.