After a large fire, there are images that roll around in your memory when you have quiet time to think. The Proctor Academy dorm fire that occurred on Lawrence Street earlier this summer has many such images for me.

The most vivid and poignant image for me was watching a firefighter stand between the raging dorm fire and the home next door with a hose line, protecting the home. This was a hot, smoky, and dangerous place to be standing, but there was a job that needed to be done.

When the smoke cleared enough for me to see the firefighter, I was pleased to see it was a five foot tall, tough firefighter named Diana Miller. Diana would protect the home; that piece of business was covered …  time to focus on other matters.

Another job needed to be accomplished on that very hot day. We needed to get drinking water and food to the firefighters, but getting food delivered to a large fire ground and even larger water supply operation is not a task for the faint of heart.

Our team not only delivered the supplies, but they also made sure (by standing over us) that we ate food and drank plenty of water. The image of Meghan Barton, Gabi Calderaro, Samantha Poulin, Gail Barton, and Starr Towne going from firefighter to firefighter making sure (demanding) they rest and hydrate still makes this old Chief smile.

It has always been a tremendous source of pride for me that we have had skilled ladies in our department for more than 30 years, ladies like Diana Miller, JoAnn Hicks, and several other fine ladies who have gone on to work in City  fire departments.

Another image that I hope you all see is Andover Fire Department made up of quality people, men and woman who work hard along with our Auxiliary to protect our families, our homes, and our community.

It’s time to single out the ladies in the department and in our town who provide invaluable support. We are a better fire department because of you. From the guys, “Thank you!”