GROVELAND — Chief Robert Valentine is pleased to recognize Lt. Al Credit and Firefighter Tracy Gilford upon their retirement from the department with 25 years of service and 41 years of service respectively.
Firefighter Gilford began his career with the Groveland Fire Department on Sept. 10, 1982, and Lt. Credit began his career on Dec. 22, 1998. Both men retired this week.
Over 50 people, including Town of Groveland officials, fire chiefs from neighboring communities, and others attended a retirement party for both men on Tuesday night at Groveland Fire Headquarters.
“Call/Volunteer firefighters are a special breed. They serve with pride, dedication, and professionalism, and they do it by leaving their warm homes in the nastiest of weather, during family events, holiday celebrations, day or night,” said Chief Valentine. “They hear a tone on the radio and leave to respond to a call for help from a resident they might know, or a stranger. It doesn’t matter. They respond.”
After years of responding to such calls with the department, Firefighter Gilford and Lt. Credit wore street clothes as they were lauded Tuesday for two careers full of hard work, dedication and professionalism.
The Groveland Firefighters Association presented both men with signed photographs to commemorate their careers. Both men also received citations from the department, the Town of Groveland, and the Massachusetts Senate.
Asked what advice they would give younger firefighters just getting started, Firefighter Gilford encouraged other firefighters to always listen to more senior members who know how things work.
Lt. Credit encouraged all firefighters to always jump in and help out when needed.
“Don’t be that guy that stands around with your hands in your pockets,” Lt. Credit said. “Jump in. Help out when necessary and always show up for training. It will improve your skills and keep you safe.”
Deputy Chief Dan Briscoe said Lt. Credit was exactly that type of firefighter, and the guy who you would call anytime you needed something. He described Firefighter Gilford as hard-working as well, saying it wouldn’t be unusual to respond to a call at 1 a.m., only to find Gilford already at the station polishing the floor or working on a project.
“You have always been among the pillars of this department. You’ve always been reliable. You’ve always been somebody other members of the department could reach out to for council or assistance,” said state Sen. Bruce Tarr. “You have been one of those people who make this department a great institution.”
In brief remarks during the party, Lt. Credit thanked his wife and daughters for their support over the years, as well as all those he was able to call a colleague.
Firefighter Gilford said he didn’t think he could be a firefighter when he was first recruited to the department, but that training, supportive colleagues and a supportive community made it possible.
“I never intended on staying for 41 years,” Gilford said. “I didn’t think I could do this.”
“I made some lifelong friends here. I’ll miss what we created, but I’d like to think I left this place a little better than I found it,” Lt. Credit said.
