Meet Marlborough's Newest Firefighters

Marlborough's latest additions to the fire department were all born in the city and have dreamed of being firefighters since they were young.

"We are all excited. It's something we've all been looking forward to for a number of years," said Omar Atocha-Torres, one of the new firefighters. "We feel honored and blesed to be working for the city."

Atocha-Torres graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy in June of last year. He is presently assigned to Shift 4.

Michael Burnell is a Massachusetts licensed EMT, who graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy in September. He is presently assigned to Shift 4.

John DeGiacomo graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy in June. He is presently assigned to Shift 2.

Both Atocha-Torres and DeGiacomo have family members who are firefighters. Even though Burnell does not, he said he felt the calling to be a firefighter.

For Atocha-Torres, being a firefighter is something that he has been working towards for years.

"I used to come down in high school and hang out with these guys. It was a long time coming," he said.

The established firefighters have taken everyone under their wing and helped them adjust to the department and their new jobs, said the new firefighters.

The fire department has been working to fill vacancies, and in the next fiscal year should be fully staffed for the first time since 2004.