A ‘dream come true’ for new Saugus firefighter

SAUGUS – Saugus? newest firefighter said joining the ranks of his hometown fire department is a “dream come true.”?It?s awesome,” said Donald Blandini, who started last week. “I always knew since I was younger that I wanted to be a firefighter. It?s always a job I looked up to and knew that I wanted to do.”Blandini, who just turned 26 on Wednesday, graduated from Saugus High School in 2005 and soon after joined the United States Army. Blandini served two tours in Iraq, one from 2006 to 2007 near the border with Kuwait and another from 2008 to 2009 in Baghdad.Blandini helped provide security for convoys during both tours.?I knew a couple of buddies that joined the Army, and it was just something I wanted to do,” said Blandini, who left the Army as an E4 Corporal. “It definitely prepared me for this as far as the shift work and the camaraderie, restless nights.”Blandini, who is an Emergency Medical Technician and is currently in paramedic school, has been in training every day since last Monday and is being taught everything from how to use the air packs to running lines, raising ladders and safety.After two weeks Blandini will become part of a group with a training officer and will then head to the fire academy in April.?Everyone has been real nice and there?s a lot of vets here,” said Blandini. “It?s a dream come true. I know the streets and everything. It?s funny going on calls to all these familiar streets. It?s awesome.”Fire Chief Donald McQuaid said having an extra man will be “very important” for the department and will go a long way in helping keep the Essex Street Fire Station open.?Every person that we have here just keeps Essex Street open longer,” said McQuaid. “The more guys we have here the less chance there is to call in overtime. It?s all about money at this point.”McQuaid said Blandini is filling the spot left when former Chief James Blanchard retired, but the department is still down three firefighters, with one serving overseas in Kosovo.However, that could change Monday if Town Meeting votes to add two firefighters to the roster.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].