We recognize that not all retired members are on this list yet. This is an ongoing project. Please check back later for updates.
CAPTAIN JOHN GONSALVES:
Captain John Gonsalves has served the community of Martha’s Vineyard for over thirty years. He began his firefighting career in 1991 for the Tisbury Fire Department while still in high school. In 1997 he joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and in 2001, Former Oak Bluffs Fire Chief Dennis Alley awarded John Gonsalves the Certificate of Merit for dedicated service to the citizens of Oak Bluffs. He earned his EMT certification in 2002 and has been Captain of Engine 524 since 2009. Recently in May of 2019 he became a full time Paramedic for the Oak Bluffs EMS Department. We appreciate his dedication and the sacrifices he and his family have made during his time on the Department. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors!
Captain John Gonsalves has served the community of Martha’s Vineyard for over thirty years. He began his firefighting career in 1991 for the Tisbury Fire Department while still in high school. In 1997 he joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and in 2001, Former Oak Bluffs Fire Chief Dennis Alley awarded John Gonsalves the Certificate of Merit for dedicated service to the citizens of Oak Bluffs. He earned his EMT certification in 2002 and has been Captain of Engine 524 since 2009. Recently in May of 2019 he became a full time Paramedic for the Oak Bluffs EMS Department. We appreciate his dedication and the sacrifices he and his family have made during his time on the Department. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors!
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FIRST LIEUTENANT ROBERT "BOB" WILLISTON:
In 1980, Robert "Bobby" Williston joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department. Over the years he was promoted from a volunteer firefighter on Engine 524 to a First Lieutenant. During his 40 years of service, he responded to countless calls and served his community with pride. He was also a Dive Support team member for years.
As a natural mentor, he was a big part in helping guide and train new department members. On Saturday, February 29, 2020, 1st Lieutenant Robert Williston retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department. He looks forward to using his new free time to hunt wildlife in the woods.
In 1980, Robert "Bobby" Williston joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department. Over the years he was promoted from a volunteer firefighter on Engine 524 to a First Lieutenant. During his 40 years of service, he responded to countless calls and served his community with pride. He was also a Dive Support team member for years.
As a natural mentor, he was a big part in helping guide and train new department members. On Saturday, February 29, 2020, 1st Lieutenant Robert Williston retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department. He looks forward to using his new free time to hunt wildlife in the woods.
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DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF SHAWN BROADLEY:
Shawn Broadley joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department on Thursday, February 1, 1990. As a volunteer firefighter on Engine 521, he worked tirelessly to serve his community. In 2001, this highly regarded man was appointed to Captain of Engine 521. With an enthusiastic and “get it done” personality, he was appointed to Deputy Chief of the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. While in this position, he participated in assisting Joe Nedder and the rest of the Cross Street Associates team as lead training officer of the Firefighter 1-2 course. He dedicated over a year of rigorous training, reviewing curriculum, following students’ progress, and participating in the drills alongside the students to ensure that they were well prepared for any situation they may encounter as a Firefighter. On Saturday, February 15, 2020, the Class of 2019 officially graduated as more skilled and knowledgeable Firefighters.
Throughout his career his duties included first responder, training officer, and tank inspector. He was always willing to help those that needed motivating or mentoring. After 30 years of service, Deputy Chief Shawn Broadley retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Monday, February 17, 2020. He is looking forward to spending more time with his loving wife, Jocelyn, and their son Garrett on the family boat.
Shawn Broadley joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department on Thursday, February 1, 1990. As a volunteer firefighter on Engine 521, he worked tirelessly to serve his community. In 2001, this highly regarded man was appointed to Captain of Engine 521. With an enthusiastic and “get it done” personality, he was appointed to Deputy Chief of the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. While in this position, he participated in assisting Joe Nedder and the rest of the Cross Street Associates team as lead training officer of the Firefighter 1-2 course. He dedicated over a year of rigorous training, reviewing curriculum, following students’ progress, and participating in the drills alongside the students to ensure that they were well prepared for any situation they may encounter as a Firefighter. On Saturday, February 15, 2020, the Class of 2019 officially graduated as more skilled and knowledgeable Firefighters.
Throughout his career his duties included first responder, training officer, and tank inspector. He was always willing to help those that needed motivating or mentoring. After 30 years of service, Deputy Chief Shawn Broadley retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Monday, February 17, 2020. He is looking forward to spending more time with his loving wife, Jocelyn, and their son Garrett on the family boat.
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FIRE-EMS CHIEF JOHN ROSE:
Inspired by Chief Nelson Amaral, 18-year-old John Rose joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department in 1989. Following in his family's footsteps, he joined Engine 524 as a volunteer firefighter. In 1995, he became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Due to his natural drive and leadership skills, he was appointed to Captain of Engine 524 a year later. In 2002, he was appointed to Emergency Medical Services Captain. While in this role, he organized the EMS Presidential Detail for President Barack Obama for 5 consecutive years. He became a licensed Paramedic and EMS Chief in September of 2007. He was instrumental in promoting the Paramedic program for Martha’s Vineyard. On Saturday, September 12, 2009, he was appointed to Assistant Chief of the Fire Department. In 2013, while serving as Interim Fire Chief, the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and the Oak Bluffs EMS Department merged to become the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department. The combined department was officially recognized in January 2014.
On Thursday, March 27, 2014 he was appointed to Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Chief. During the summer of 2018, Chief Rose, Deputy Chief Shawn Broadley, and Joe Nedder, owner of Cross Street Associates, began discussing a program to train future Firefighters, resulting in a 245 hour jointly taught Firefighter 1-2 course. In 2019, he held positions on the Martha's Vineyard Emergency Management committee and the Fire Chief's Association. After over 30 years of service to the community of Martha's Vineyard, Chief John Rose retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Friday, January 31, 2020.
Inspired by Chief Nelson Amaral, 18-year-old John Rose joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department in 1989. Following in his family's footsteps, he joined Engine 524 as a volunteer firefighter. In 1995, he became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Due to his natural drive and leadership skills, he was appointed to Captain of Engine 524 a year later. In 2002, he was appointed to Emergency Medical Services Captain. While in this role, he organized the EMS Presidential Detail for President Barack Obama for 5 consecutive years. He became a licensed Paramedic and EMS Chief in September of 2007. He was instrumental in promoting the Paramedic program for Martha’s Vineyard. On Saturday, September 12, 2009, he was appointed to Assistant Chief of the Fire Department. In 2013, while serving as Interim Fire Chief, the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and the Oak Bluffs EMS Department merged to become the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department. The combined department was officially recognized in January 2014.
On Thursday, March 27, 2014 he was appointed to Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Chief. During the summer of 2018, Chief Rose, Deputy Chief Shawn Broadley, and Joe Nedder, owner of Cross Street Associates, began discussing a program to train future Firefighters, resulting in a 245 hour jointly taught Firefighter 1-2 course. In 2019, he held positions on the Martha's Vineyard Emergency Management committee and the Fire Chief's Association. After over 30 years of service to the community of Martha's Vineyard, Chief John Rose retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on Friday, January 31, 2020.
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CAPTAIN MICHAEL ARAUJO:
The Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department would like to recognize Captain Michael Araujo, who retired from the department on November 19, 2019. Mike began his firefighting career in 1988 at the age of 16, as a Junior Firefighter in Tisbury, MA. After nine years he joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department on October 6, 1997.
With over twenty-one years on this department, he steadily worked his way up to the position of 1st Lieutenant on Rescue truck 561, and later became Captain on June 13, 2019. His years of experience and knowledge have benefited the department and community greatly. He has been a strong leader and an outstanding member of society.
While serving, he has responded to countless alarm and fire calls, participated in year-round dive and firefighter drills, and gave hours of his time for fundraising and educating the community on fire safety. We offer our gratitude to his family for their sacrifices due to Mike’s dedication, as well as their hours of volunteering for the department. Thank you, Misty, Tyrone, and Tevin. Thank you, Captain Araujo, for your dedication and commitment in keeping our department respected and strong.
The Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department would like to recognize Captain Michael Araujo, who retired from the department on November 19, 2019. Mike began his firefighting career in 1988 at the age of 16, as a Junior Firefighter in Tisbury, MA. After nine years he joined the Oak Bluffs Fire Department on October 6, 1997.
With over twenty-one years on this department, he steadily worked his way up to the position of 1st Lieutenant on Rescue truck 561, and later became Captain on June 13, 2019. His years of experience and knowledge have benefited the department and community greatly. He has been a strong leader and an outstanding member of society.
While serving, he has responded to countless alarm and fire calls, participated in year-round dive and firefighter drills, and gave hours of his time for fundraising and educating the community on fire safety. We offer our gratitude to his family for their sacrifices due to Mike’s dedication, as well as their hours of volunteering for the department. Thank you, Misty, Tyrone, and Tevin. Thank you, Captain Araujo, for your dedication and commitment in keeping our department respected and strong.
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CAPTAIN ERIK WILDANGER:
Captain Erik Wildanger retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on June 1, 2018, after 23 years of service. He came to us from the Tisbury Fire Department on June 1, 1995 and joined as a Firefighter on Rescue Truck 561. He excelled through the ranks and became Lieutenant of the Rescue Truck in 2007. In 2013, Erik was appointed Captain of Rescue Truck 561 and remained a respected leader for five years.
Twenty-three years of service equals countless calls in the middle of the night, many Department drills and training to help protect the citizens of this town. As well as showing his commitment to the Fire Department, he also remained dedicated to the Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association. Captain Wildanger was quite successful at raising funds for our Department's annual fireworks display, our Scholarship Fund, and our Firefighters Assistance Program. Thank you Captain Wildanger for all the sacrifices you've made over the many years of service to your community.
Captain Erik Wildanger retired from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department on June 1, 2018, after 23 years of service. He came to us from the Tisbury Fire Department on June 1, 1995 and joined as a Firefighter on Rescue Truck 561. He excelled through the ranks and became Lieutenant of the Rescue Truck in 2007. In 2013, Erik was appointed Captain of Rescue Truck 561 and remained a respected leader for five years.
Twenty-three years of service equals countless calls in the middle of the night, many Department drills and training to help protect the citizens of this town. As well as showing his commitment to the Fire Department, he also remained dedicated to the Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association. Captain Wildanger was quite successful at raising funds for our Department's annual fireworks display, our Scholarship Fund, and our Firefighters Assistance Program. Thank you Captain Wildanger for all the sacrifices you've made over the many years of service to your community.
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