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NEWBURYPORT — For the past year, all 38 members of the Newburyport Fire Department have worked under one roof, sharing one shower, while waiting for the West End Station building project to be complete.
On Nov. 1, firefighters were welcomed into the new John F. Cutter Jr. West End Fire Station with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the collaborative efforts of the City, Fire Department and community.
The 6,600-square-foot station features updated insulation and cooling systems, handicapped accessibility, fire protection sprinkler systems, storage space, parking and more, and provides firefighters with living space, five bunkrooms, a fitness center and three bathrooms, all appropriately separated from the apparatus bay.
The station is the City’s first “Net Zero” municipal building, meaning that the solar panels on the roof of the building are expected to generate at least as much power as the facility consumes.
The station is named after John “Jocko” Franklin Cutter Jr., who joined the Newburyport Fire Department in 1932 and became a Lieutenant in 1952. Cutter also served on the Retirement Board until his passing.
Cutter’s son, John Franklin Cutter III, and grandson, Stephen Cutter, both served as Newburyport Fire Chiefs.
Two members of the Cutter family, Jeff and John F Cutter Sr., still serve on the Department today.
John F Cutter Jr. was sworn in and promoted from call firefighter to Call Lieutenant during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
One of John Franklin Cutter Jr.’s granddaughters, Susan Stanwood Walton, also spoke at the ceremony, sharing anecdotes about her grandfather and his passionate work for the community.
The ceremony additionally featured remarks from Chief Bradbury, Mayor Reardon, Sen. Bruce Tarr, Rep. Dawne Shand, Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining and City Council President Ed Cameron, each thanking those who helped this project come to fruition.
“This station right here is built for the future,” said Chief Bradbury. “This station is built to handle an engine and two ambulances with an additional eight firefighters, so hopefully we will see that come into play in the future.”
“What I really love about this building is that you are getting to see firsthand what a 21st century Fire Department should look like,” said Mayor Reardon. “What this station represents is safety to our residents and businesses and the safety and health and wellbeing of our firefighters that work and give their lives for the City of Newburyport each and every day.”
Mayor Reardon also thanked the City’s Fire, Planning, Information Technology, Public Safety, Sustainability and Building Departments for their collaborative efforts in creating the state-of-the-art facility.
“On a day like this where we commemorate the service of so many that have come before and so many that will lead us into the future, it is indeed a bright day for the City of Newburyport and the United States of America,” said Sen. Tarr. “We think about just how blessed and just how lucky we are, and that brings us to the mission that the City has embarked on today that culminates with this building, a place that our heroes can call home. A place that is designed to recognize what we know about the fire service and fire science today.”
Sen. Tarr presented the City, Fire Department and members of the Cutter family with Senate citations commending the project.
“Our primary goal all along was to make sure that this is a healthy building,” said Senior Project Manager Vining. “You all take care of us, you protect us, and we want to take care of you and protect you.”
The ceremony also featured a re-dedication ceremony for the Anthony “Tony” Raven memorial garden, which was rebuilt and upgraded as part of the building project. Firefighter Raven died in the line of duty on April 26, 2016, at age 64. He served the Newburyport community as a firefighter for 32 years, and before that, served the country in the U.S. Navy.
Firefighter Ken Parseghian led the re-dedication with a memorial speech, with many members of Raven’s family sitting in the audience. Raven’s family members were then gifted the plaque that rested in the former memorial.
“We are here this morning to open this great new station, and at the same time keep a promise we made to never forget,” said Firefighter Parseghian. “Tony was a great firefighter, an unforgettable Senior Man, a loving husband to Mary, and a heroic father to both Will and Matt. Tony was my first Senior Man here at Station Two, and he taught me things the way Tony only knew best; he threw you into the deep end of the pool and hoped you could swim.”
Bagpipers played a song that was played at Raven’s funeral, followed by “Amazing Grace” as the flag was raised to full staff.
Firefighters Matthew Thurlow and Ryan Aghoain, who have been serving the Department for about a year, were also formally sworn in during the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with Vining, Mayor Reardon, Chief Bradbury, Joanne Cutter and Zach Cutter cutting the ribbon, signifying the formal opening of the John F. Cutter Jr. West End Fire Station.
Mayor Reardon added that the building is “really all about family,” citing the legacy the station represents in the public service efforts of families like the Cutters and the Ravens.
Firefighters will be able to occupy and use the station beginning Nov. 1.
