Town Manager Crabtree announces appointment of a veteran firefighter to the Saugus Fire Department

A veteran Holyoke firefighter recently joined the Saugus Fire Department.

Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office announced this week the recent swearing-in of Nathan Zayas, 29, who spent six and a half years at the Holyoke Fire Department. “This is a tremendous opportunity to bring on a candidate who has considerable experience with another Fire Department,” Town Manager Crabtree said in a press release issued this week. “I want to congratulate Firefighter Zayas and his family, and I wish him the best in his new role,” he said.

Fire Chief Michael Newbury said it’s a unique opportunity to hire a firefighter who is still in the prime of his career and comes highly recommended from his time in Holyoke. “I wish Nate nothing but the best,” Chief Newbury said. “I have confidence in his abilities and I have faith that he will make the right decisions to protect this community and his fellow firefighters.”

Family members and fellow firefighters gathered to show their support for Zayas joining the Fire Department during a recent ceremony held at the Public Safety Building.

Zayas grew up in Holyoke and earned an Associate’s Degree in fire science from Springfield Technical Community College. He lives in Saugus with his wife Kelsey and nine-month-old son Brody, who both attended the swearing in ceremony along with other family members. His wife Kelsey is a Saugus native.

“I’m excited to join the Saugus Fire Department,” said Zayas, who has been assigned to Engine 3 with Group 1.

“Everyone is super friendly at the Fire Department and I really like the small-town feeling in Saugus.” Zayas added that he was looking forward to the two-minute commute after regularly driving two hours for shifts with the Holyoke Fire Department.