Waltham Fire Department’s Most Senior Member Retires

Fire Lieutenant William R. MacDonald Retiring After More than 37 Years of Dedicated Service to the City of Waltham

Monday - September 24, 2012

The Waltham Fire Department’s most senior member, Fire Lieutenant William R. MacDonald, retired on Tuesday September 25, 2012 after completing more than 37 years of dedicated service to the city of Waltham.  MacDonald is a fourth generation Waltham Firefighter and is active in the city, holding positions as Assistant Treasurer of the Waltham Municipal Employees Credit Union and Chairman of the Waltham Retirement Board.  While MacDonald will continue on with his Credit Union and Retirement Board positions, he served his last tour of duty with the Waltham Fire Department on Tuesday (September 25) at Engine 8 on Trapelo Road.

MacDonald graduated from Waltham Vocational High School in 1966, went on to serve in the United States Air Force and then went to work for the MBTA before joining the Waltham Fire Department.  He started his official WFD career on March 30, 1975 and completed his basic firefighting training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow, MA.  Following graduation, he went on to serve as a Firefighter at Central Station, Engine 4 and Moody Street.  He served at Moody Street Station as the Aide to the Deputy Chief for 18 years.  On October 2, 2011, MacDonald was promoted to Lieutenant and began serving as an officer at Engine 3.  He was then transferred to Engine 8 where he finishes out his career with Waltham Fire.

Lt. MacDonald has a long family tradition with the Waltham Fire Department.  His great grandfather, grandfather and father were all members of the Waltham Fire Department as were two of his uncles, his brother and cousin.  His son William D. MacDonald and nephew Jeffrey MacDonald currently serve as firefighters in Waltham.  Throughout the years Lt. MacDonald has responded to numerous incidents and seen many changes in the fire service.

One of his most memorable fires occurred his first week on the job during his first night shift.  That night, he responded to the Storer Estate fire – a 26 room mansion located near the Paine Estate.  While Engine 2 was originally dispatched for a brush fire, crews quickly discovered the mansion was fully involved.  Later in his career MacDonald responded to a multiple fatality fire at Williams Street, a call that still impacts him to this day.  Two young children died in that fire.  “On this job as a firefighter you learn to handle death but when it involves a child and you are a parent, it really hits close to home,” MacDonald said.

Of the more positive things MacDonald has seen during his career are the improvements in equipment and technology.  “Firefighting gear has gotten better and provides much more protection than when I started,” MacDonald said.  “Anything that can make this dangerous job safer is a welcomed advance for the fire service.”

MacDonald has also seen the job of the firefighter evolve to include many more duties and a larger emphasis on emergency medical response.  His medical training proved valuable not only on the job but also when he responded off-duty to a man having a heart attack at Lazazzero Field.  MacDonald’s efforts that day saved the man’s life.    

Additionally, MacDonald has been active throughout his career in the fire union – serving as president of the Waltham Firefighters Union Local 866 from 1989 to 1997, Secretary-Treasurer from 1983 to 1989, District 2 Vice-President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (P.F.F.M.) from 1994 to present and P.F.F.M. Trustee from 1988-1994.

MacDonald says he would love to continue on with the Waltham Fire Department but will enjoy spending more time with his family during his retirement.