Watertown's Newest Firefighter Continues a Proud Family Tradition

The swearing in of Watertown’s newest firefighter Thursday afternoon was one part family gathering one part firefighter reunion.

Jeffrey McNamara took the oath from Town Clerk John Flynn at Town Hall as his father, grandfather and uncle – themselves all firefighters ­ – looked on.

After taking the oath, Jeffrey received his badge from his grandfather Ray, a Watertown resident and former lieutenant in the Newton Fire Department.

Ray beamed after the ceremony.

“It’s an absolutely thrilling day,” he said.

Ray is a hero to local firefighters after he survived an explosion at a chemical factory that left him burned on more than 90 percent of his body, said Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio.

Watertown dedicated a square to Ray at the intersection of Waverley Avenue and Bradshaw Street, Orangio said.

Two of Ray’s sons, Brian – Jeffrey’s father­­ – and Michael, joined the Newton Fire Department. Both attended the ceremony.

Brian received congratulatory handshakes from several fellow Newton firefighters and members of the Watertown Fire Department.

“I am as proud (of Jeffrey) as a person could be, I always have been,” Brian said. “It is something he has always wanted to do.”

Jeffrey recently graduated from Assumption College as a history major, but he said he has thought about becoming a firefighter since he was young.

“As a history major, there are not many options, so I took the civil service exam and I started taking an EMT class,” Jeffrey said.

When he took the exam Jeffrey selected Watertown and Newton among the towns he wanted to work for.

While he was sworn in Thursday, Jeffrey has already been on the job for a couple weeks.

“I have learned a lot already,” Jeffrey said. “You can read about how things are supposed to be done … but it’s all hands-on (learning).”

McNamara will attend the Fire Academy in either July or October.