By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
Photo by Charles Hamel and Hawley Fire Department
(Heath, MA) The town of Heath has promoted Lieutenant Charles Hamel to the rank of Captain as of early August. Hamel had been Lieutenant for the department for just three months prior to his promotion. His son, Collin Hamel, also recently started as a Junior Firefighter in Heath at age 13. Hamel has been a firefighter since before the age of 18, and credits Adam Baker and his father Chief Robert Baker with starting him at an early age in Conway. More than 20 years later, Hamel is also Lieutenant in Charlemont where he has been working since 2009 and part of the Colrain Rapid Response Team, or RIT. He’s also part of the Rowe Fire Department.
“I became a firefighter to help people. When I was 14 I watched a car accident happen in front of me and I watched how the fire department showed up and got the people out, and I said to myself I want to do that. I moved to Conway and moved in with the Bakers, Chief Baker and his family, and they are the ones that got me hooked into the fire department,” said Hamel.
Adam Baker, Deputy Chief at Conway Fire, said he got to know Hamel when he joined the Junior Fire program in Conway. Adam said he believes Hamel will be an asset to the town of Heath as a Captain.
“We took him under our wing knowing he had what it takes to be a great firefighter,” said Baker. “When it came to practice or a call we knew Charlie would be there 24/7 to help. It was in his blood.”
Adam also said that he believes Hamel learned a great deal over the years in regards to fire fighting, and has learned the proper skills to be a great firefighter.
Conway Fire Chief Robert Baker said he and his son Adam started Hamel off as a junior firefighter when he was under 18. He had no training so they taught him everything they could in regards to being a firefighter.
”We thought that in the future, Charles would make a great firefighter. We think he is well deserving of that position of Captain in Heath. We have known him almost his whole life. He did a great job for us in Conway and I think he will do a great job for Heath. You’re not going to find many more people more dedicated than he is.”