WILBRAHAM – The Wilbraham Select Board had their work cut out for them when they conducted interviews for two fire captain positions during a public meeting on Dec. 11.

“Once again, Wilbraham is blessed with a talented group of folks,” Select Board Chair Susan Bunnell said. She called Anthony Arventos, Adam Hart, Richard Hatch, Matthew Walch and Jeffrey Witek, “a strong pool of candidates.”

Each candidate testified to the extensive training they had undergone as well as the experience they had gained in various fire departments.

The board took turns asking each of the five candidates the same series of questions. The first question, from Bunnell, was how the candidate handled incident reports and if they could be streamlined.

Both Hart and Witek said they use a template to fill out incident reports. Arventos praised soon–to–be implemented software that eliminates the need to enter information into three separate systems.

“I believe the new software that’s rolling out will streamline a lot of things,” Arventos said. Hatch said streamlining can be done with computers in the firetrucks so information can be entered on–site.

Selectman Robert Russell asked the candidates if there is a standard operating procedure (SOP) that should be changed, added or removed.

Walch said he would bring up requirements for probationary firefighters, while Hatch would add more off–duty fire training. He said he envisioned half of the department training together at a time.

Arventos noted that, until recently, it was the decision of a fire captain which resources were needed to battle each fire.

“[We] now work off alarms,” Arventos said. Depending on the severity of the situation, whether it be a 1–alarm–fire or a 5–alarm–fire, a standard set of resources are deployed.

Russell also asked what he would say to a private who had made a major mistake and was beating himself up over it.

“We’ve all been that guy,” Arventos said, adding, “It’s [the captain’s] responsibility to find out what happened and how to fix it.”

Hart said he would remind the firefighter why he had joined and make sure “not destroy [their] confidence.” He said he would look at what went wrong with the private.

Hatch would recommend more training and Walch would “get to the root of the problem.”

Witek said, “We are our own worst critics.” He said he would tell the private “Listen, you made a mistake, but the only way we can work through this, is together.”

Selectman Robert Boilard asked the candidates what is the most important responsibility of a fire captain.

For Hatch, the most important part of the job is “making sure they can go home to their family,” and “making sure they enjoy their job.”

Walch said it was “the safety of your crew on the fireground. Off the fireground, it’s communication.” He said people want to know why decisions are being made.

Arventos also thought communication was important. He said the job of the captain is to take the load off of others in the department and make their job easier.

“The most important part is the people we serve,” Witek said. “People call us on their worst day.”

As for the most difficult part of the job, most of the candidates felt the increased administrative duties and paperwork would take getting used to.

“It would be a big lifestyle change, it's exciting but it's bittersweet,” Walch said.

Hart said the hardest part would be “navigating the future of the department. We have more missions and challenges than we ever had before.”

One role that a fire captain may take on is that of Fire Prevention Officer. The duties include conducting safety inspections of homes, fuel storage tanks and special events. Walch, Witek and Arventos have already received the fire prevention training. Andrews said if the other candidates were selected, they would receive the training. All candidates agree to accept the position if selected to be captain.

After taking time to consider the candidates, the select board announced at the following scheduled meeting on Dec. 16 that they had chosen Arventos and Walch to fill the open positions.

The board also met on Dec. 11 with six candidates for the Senior Center Building Committee. Bunnel explained that the committee would be charged with analyzing the site chosen by the Senior Center Feasibility Committee, developing the project, issuing a request for proposals, choosing an architect and working with them to develop a plan on which the town can vote at the annual meeting.

Russell said, “This is no small deal. It’s going to take quite a bit of work.”

Some of the candidates were Theodore Sowa of Sowa Industry Services; Jay Kahn, a business manager and an entrepreneur who said he was familiar with public meeting rules and was part of the board that got the YMCA built and Carl Jurgen, who came with plans that showed work he had done previously in the power industry. Jurgen has also worked as a contract administrator, in corporate real estate, in labor relations and as a project manager

The candidates also included Linda Cooper, a former nurse who said she hopes to bring her perspective on health and wellness to the group; Ken Furst, an eight-year member of the finance committee who has done nonprofit work for Rick’s Place and was an adviser to the public media board; and George Fontaine, who has a history working in construction and said he has built schools and athletic facilities.

More interviews will be conducted and a decision will come after interviews are completed.