Saugus welcomes new firefighters

SAUGUS – It?s in with the new for Saugus firefighters, who recently welcomed the latest additions to the department, Alex Watton, Paul Eaves and John Rescigno.But the journey to becoming firefighters isn?t quite over for Eaves and Rescigno. While they?ve already been sworn in, the two recruits have 13 weeks of training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy to look forward to beginning in October, which Watton already completed. And they truly are looking forward to it.?We?re really excited about it,” said 28-year-old Rescigno, who is a first generation firefighter. “It?s like waiting to open presents on Christmas.”A 2001 graduate of Saugus High School, Rescigno enlisted in the Army in 2002 and served in Iraq for 18 months. He was trained in toxic industrial chemical protection and detection while in the Army, giving him the preparation needed to act as a hazardous material technician for the fire department.Rescigno also served as an Army Combat Life Saver – which prepared him to treat someone with extreme trauma – and he worked as an EMT at a local ambulance company for nearly 10 years. He recently completed the classroom portion of the paramedic program and he is finishing the practicum for the certification.Rescigno?s experience in emergency care makes him a great asset to the department, as Saugus Fire Chief James Blanchard pointed out?Two-thirds of the job is medical emergencies and every single one of the firefighters needs to be trained to give medical aid before the ambulance arrives,” Blanchard said. “We can get six medical calls at once. With Route 1 and Route 99, there are so many challenges.”Rescigno said he?s always wanted to be a firefighter, ideally in his hometown.?Saugus has a growing department, so there?s more opportunity,” he explained.The son of a district fire chief in Chelsea, 27-year-old Eaves is also a Saugus native and a veteran.He joined the Army in 2004, and spent nearly two years in Iraq and Kuwait while on three separate tours. Eaves achieved the impressive rank of E06 as a counter intelligence staff sergeant in less than five years and he is trained as a Combat Life Saver as well. He said there are several lessons he learned as a soldier that he can apply to his new position in the department.?Listen to your superiors and follow commands,” said Eaves.Even though Eaves is a second-generation firefighter, Blanchard said he?ll have to learn the ins and outs of the job for himself.?He?s watched his father go off to work his whole life, but it?s never what you think until you get here and do it,” said Blanchard. “No matter what background you have, it?s a huge change from what you think it is.”According to Blanchard, Eaves and Rescigno are undergoing three weeks of in-house training with Saugus firefighters who are certified fire instructors from the Fire Academy. Rescigno will finish his paramedic training and Eaves will receive his first responder, CPR and defibrillator certification during the training.The two will then begin responding to calls once the three weeks is up.