The Massachusetts Port Authority appoints Paul Smith as new Deputy Fire Chief

SMITH TO SERVE IN NEW POSITION AS AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING COORDINATOR FOR THE AGENCY

BOSTON, 2014-9-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced the appointment of Paul Smith to a new Deputy Fire Chief position at the Authority effective September 1, 2014.

In this newly created position, Smith will report directly to Massport Fire Chief Robert Donahue and will be responsible for coordinating aircraft rescue and firefighting services at Worcester Regional Airport and Laurence G. Hansom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts.  Smith will also work to enhance overall communications, coordination, and planning with the U.S. Air Force at Hanscom Field, Worcester Airport Safety and Security, and Massport’s neighboring mutual aid partners.

“Safety and security for our customers, employees, and facilities is our top priority,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn.  “The experience that Paul brings to this new role will allow us to enhance the coordination and emergency response between firefighting personnel at our facilities.”

This new position, approved during the budget process in April 2014, will help Massport enhance its emergency response and operations by working to standardize operations and unified command across the Agency’s airports.

“Paul has come up through the ranks and has a broad understanding of Massport Fire, our processes, and goals,” said Chief Robert Donahue of the Massport Fire Department.  “Paul’s leadership capabilities and experience make him a perfect fit for this role and he will greatly enhance our capabilities.”

Smith, a member of the Massport Fire Department, is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served for five years as a Fire Protection Specialist.  He was deployed across the world and served at three joint-use airports during his time in the service.  In 1989, while stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Smith received a Non-Commissioned Officers Award for Exceptional Service. Smith also served as part of the 157th Air and Fueling Wing of the Air National Guard for four and a half years and holds certifications as an emergency medical technician (EMT), hazardous materials technician, and is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to operate a 100-ton vessel.

A resident of Winthrop, Massachusetts, Smith has been active in the community as a founder of Winthrop Youth Football in 1996 and as a former Assistant Coach of the Winthrop High School Football team.

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About Massport
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit www.massport.com.

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