Kevin Gallagher receives Acushnet Grange award

By Beth David, Editor

Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher received Community Citizenship Award on 10/7/21 from the Acushnet Grange for “outstanding service” to the community. 

“Your dedication and personal involvement are gratefully and sincerely acknowledged by the members of Acushnet Grange No. 285,” reads the award.

“The Grange has deep roots in Acushnet and a long and cherished history of community service. I am honored and humbled to received this award and know that it reflects the efforts of all those who I have had the honor to work with over the past 34 years,” said Chief Gallagher in a statement. “I love Acushnet, its residents, and all the civic organiza­tions that make up the fabric of this community. Serving you has been an honor.”

Jo-Ann Silva recounted the Chief Gallagher’s journey from volunteer firefighter in 1986 to chief in 2003. 

She told the story of seeing him spraying weeds at on a traffic island at the Fairhaven/Acushnet line, definitely not his job.;

He told her “This drives me crazy, I don’t want this to be the first thing  people see as they enter our town.”

Ms. Silva said: “When I asked Chief Gallagher what his greatest legacy was he thought hard and answered, ‘in my time as chief I have never had to go visit one of our fellow firefighters in the hospital for a work injury and I hope to keep it that way.’”

She also spoke about his pursuit of grants, and the many programs he started, such as the drug dis­posal bags, Narcan for all EMTs to carry, COVID test­ing and vaccina­tion clinics.

“Chief Kevin Gallagher the town of Acushnet appreciates your  hard work anddedication to our commu­nity,” said Ms. Silva. 

Chief Gallagher has announced that he will retire next September, after 35 years with the department.

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