Sherborn Appoints New Fire Chief

Written by Whitney Cyr 

While his contract has not been signed yet, Tim Morrissey said he is looking forward to serving the town of Sherborn as its new fire chief.

The acting chief, Neil McPherson, originally retired in 2010. The department progressed through several interim chiefs until McPherson stepped back in as chief in April 2012. Town selectmen have appointed Morrissey to succeed McPherson permanently.

Morrissey said at the point in his career, he needed a change of pace, albeit a slower one, which is why he wanted to be the chief in Sherborn.

“I wanted to bring my skills and expertise to a smaller fire department,” he said. “I enjoyed the challenge of managing a fire department and I want to do it again.”

Morrissey noted changing fire departments comes along with a learning curve. “I’m the new person, it’s important for me to have my eyes and ears open for now as to how things are run.”

Sherborn doesn’t have fire hydrants, which Morrissey said is a new challenge. “I’m used to having fire hydrants, but water isn’t easily obtainable in Sherborn, we’ll be working with tankers. It’s definitely a time to learn,” he said.

Morrissey has a long career in firefighting—33 years. He served as a volunteer firefighter in Vernon, CT. For 27 years, then he rose up to the position of deputy fire chief, then to assistant fire chief in 2004. In his position as an assistant to the fire chief, Morrissey said he gained experience in an administrative capacity, working with 100 firefighters. He has a master's in public administration. 

In addition, Morrissey said in 2001, he was appointed to lieutenant of the Manchester Fire-Rescue EMS Department in Manchester, CT. in 2001. According to Morrissey, that department answered 8,300 calls a year in a city of 6,000.

Sherborn’s fire department has roughly 60 firefighters, and Morrissey said he’s met the new department, but he’s ready to meet the town.

“I hope people won’t hesitate to talk to me, and I want to put a visible face on the fire department,” he said. “I want people to know we’re there for them.”