Springfield Fire Commissioner Miguel “Mike” Rivera addresses the audience after being sworn in.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — The steps of Symphony Hall were lined with American flags as firefighters, police and emergency responders milled around in their dress uniforms. Above them, an enormous Puerto Rican flag flew, held aloft by two Springfield Fire Department ladder trucks. Inside, small Puerto Rican flags were handed out to the rows of people who came to watch Miguel “Mike” Rivera be sworn in as Springfield’s first Latino fire commissioner.
Rivera is a native of Springfield, who grew up in the city’s Brightwood neighborhood. He graduated from Putnam Vocational Technical Academy and went on to join the military. After returning to Springfield, he joined the fire department in 2009. Rivera served on the department’s rescue and bomb squads, and led the training division, before heading up District 2. Davine said Rivera’s focus was always on training and collaboration. As the Deputy Chief of Operations, Rivera oversaw two of the city’s fire districts, the hazmat and marine divisions and special operations.
Much was made of Rivera’s status as the first Latino commissioner. The Most Reverend Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield William Byrne delivered a blessing in Spanish and English.
“It’s always important when you’re the first in anything that you point that out because it shows the inspiration and opportunity for others to follow in your footsteps,” Mayor Domenic Sarno said. He pointed out that his administration appointed the first Black police superintendent, Lawrence “Larry” Akers, and the first Latina City Clerk, Gladys Oyola-Lopez. This year, the City Council elected Tracye Whitfield to serve as the first Black woman president of the body.
Sarno said Springfield’s police and fire departments are the most diverse in the state. “Our departments reflect our neighborhoods,” he said. “I’ve always picked individuals, no matter the creed, color or background… who are best suited to lead the department and lead our city,” Sarno said, adding that he saw the same qualities in Rivera that he had seen in retired Commissioner Bernard “BJ” Calvi.
Akers said, “Being the first is a blessing, but it is also a challenge that few people truly understand. It means walking into rooms where no one looks like you. It means knowing that some people will judge you before they meet you. It means carrying the hopes of your community, your culture and your heritage every time you put on that uniform. And it means knowing your success isn’t just your own because it’s a doorway for others.”
Akers joked, “When things get tough, and they will, always remember: you could always be getting sworn in as chief of police.”
Speaking to Rivera’s character, retired Springfield Fire Lt. Kelly Jones said, “I‘ve always appreciated that Mike had his own way of looking at things. Even in difficult situations, he brought a positive perspective.” He said, “What impressed me most was this: whether we were responding to serious moments, honoring a fallen brother or sister or simply talking as coworkers, Mike was always the same person. He never carried himself as though he were above anyone else, and to me that speaks volumes about his character.”
Jones said, “I understand what firefighters need in their commissioner. They need a leader they can trust, someone who listens before making decisions, someone who remains calm under pressure, someone who values the experience, ideas and opinions of the men and women who serve alongside him.”
Jones continued, “From the perspective of the citizens of Springfield, they deserve a fire commissioner who understands that every decision ultimately affects the safety of our families, our neighborhoods, our businesses and our first responders. They deserve a leader who leads with integrity, fairness, humility and accountability. I believe Springfield is receiving that kind of leader today.”
State Sen. Adam Gomez, who grew up across the street from Rivera, recalled him playing basketball in the park. He said, “I’d catch him out there when I was a young man… There was times when he talked to me when I struggled in my journey. He always had a positive optimistic outlook, and I want to thank you for that.” Gomez hugged Rivera and took a moment to compose himself. “Brightwood is a segregated neighborhood from the rest of the city of Springfield,” Gomez said, explaining that it is cut off from other neighborhoods by Interstate 91 and railroad tracks. “I just want to say, Brightwood, we have come a long way.”
Gomez said, “History is not something we simply read about. It is something we have the power to create… history is built in the ordinary moments. It’s built in the early mornings, the late nights, the difficult decisions, the sacrifices no one sees and the commitment to serve, even when no one is watching.”
State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez said the new commissioner “just so happens to be Puerto Ricano.” Rivera was hired because of his dedication, commitment and experience, he said. “Being Puerto Rican is just the celebration of what this city has been able to do in its great acceptance of diversity… It is essential that our city leadership reflects the vibrant tapestry of our city.” Gonzalez urged young people to see their possibilities in Rivera’s accomplishments. He said, “Know that your heritage and your experience will only enrich our community upon your achievements.”
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal recalled the bravery showed by the fire service in all types of situations, from those who rushed to the World Trade Center in New York after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, to the six firefighters who died after becoming trapped in a Worcester cold storage warehouse in 1999, to the Springfield Fire Department’s efforts at a July fire on Morris Street that displaced 16 people.
“And for those of you who are here today from that service, how grateful we are for what you do every single day,” Neal said. “In the case of Mike Rivera and his family, there is not a moment off in the jobs that you have. You’re one phone call away from tragedy; one phone call away from the agony that a family might feel because of events that they frequently cannot control.”
Neal said a fatal fire on Adams Street led to the creation of Springfield Housing Court and many of the building code standards that create safer housing standards. Addressing Rivera, Neal extended congratulations on behalf of the United States.
Considering the number of people who attended the swearing in and the impact he has had throughout his career, Rivera said, “It’s actually overwhelming and it’s humbling. I invest in people, so a lot of these relationships are genuine and relationships, and it was nothing special. It was just me meeting someone and being there for someone, and they’re just returning the favor now. It’s very humbling, just to feel that love and that acceptance. I’m in awe, to be honest. People that I met at the jail are here, people who I met in the military are here, people from my old neighborhood, you know, back in the North End when we were 13 years old playing basketball, came over to pay their respects. I’m just honored by the whole experience.”
With so much attention paid to Rivera’s status as the first Latino commissioner, he said it can be a “double-edged sword. I am proud of my heritage. I am proud to be the first Latino and I am extremely proud that the next generation can look to climb that ladder, to be something more. Not to be put in a box and kept in a box… I am very humbled and honored that I can be that type of role model.”
That said, he added, “It can be a bit of a distraction. I’ve worked really hard my entire life — working at the jail, growing up in the North End, volunteering to go overseas when I was in the military — those are things that made me who I am today, prepared me for this. Sometimes you feel like people think you’re here because of one thing versus the other, but I’ve worked hard my entire life and I’m confident in what I’m going to bring to the department as the commissioner.”
