By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Chief Jim Chamberlain recalls the days when he was a youngster with dreams of being a firefighter, and much of it stems from watching the trucks and apparatus drive by during the annual Fire Prevention Parade. Now, as the chief, it has come full circle.
“I used to go to the parade as a young kid and I always saw it as an opportunity to thank the fire personnel for everything that they do,” Chamberlain said. “Now that I’m the chief and been with this department, I see this as a good opportunity to thank the community for their constant support. We’re here to provide them services in a time of need, so it is nice to come out here in these pleasant times and show them we thank them for their support.”
The 138th annual Fire Prevention Parade started at Claremont Middle School, and the procession made its way west on South Street, right onto Pleasant Street, and then right onto Glidden Street, before disbanding at Broad Street.
“We’re anticipating around 70 pieces of apparatus from Claremont and surrounding communities to be a part of the parade,” Chamberlain said. “It should be a good event for the community.”
Chamberlain remembers being a little 5-year-old and being able to go ride on the apparatus, speak with members of the fire department, and dream of maybe being a fireman someday. He now has a young son who is getting this same opportunity.
“I think every child, or young person, goes through a phase where they want to be a firefighter,” Chamberlain said. “They love firefighters, the lights and the trucks. For the firefighters here now with their career, we never grew out of that.”
Chamberlain said parades and other events hosted by the firefighters are solid ways for the department and the community to interact. He said being a firefighter is a really good career path, and while many might see this as a position filled with volunteers, this is simply not the case.
Recently at a joint board meeting with the city and the school board, it was discussed that Chamberlain and Police Chief Brent Wilmot had been working closely with the school in a number of ways. One of these aspects is through recruitment and enticing the youth to look at the potential for a future in firefighting. Chamberlain said recruitment has been difficult over the years, as the interest hasn’t been there. He is looking to reignite this interest at a young age by going to sporting events, checking in at school assemblies and showing the type of career they have.
“I am very aggressive with our recruitment effort at the local level,” Chamberlain said. “This is another place where we can get out and touch base with the community and show that we are one with them.”
The month of October started with Fire Prevention Week, but Chamberlain said this is really a year-round endeavor. This month they have worked to outline fire safety aspects, meet with children in schools, and address various fire related topics like the importance of smoke alarms.
On Wednesday, the Claremont Firefighter’s Association also held its annual golf tournament where thousands of dollars have been raised over the years to be put toward scholarships. Lt. Mike Snide has spearheaded the committee, and Chamberlain said he put together an excellent tournament.
“Lt. Mike Snide did a great job putting this together,” Chamberlain said. “We had a great day out on the course, and the final numbers aren’t in yet, but we made some good funds for our scholarship to give out to Stevens High School graduates. It was a very beneficial day.”
