Ed and Cindy Wloch retire

WARE – For 29 years, Ed Wloch has been working in the Ware Fire Department and by Jan. 21, 2020, he will be a Florida resident in New Port Richey, along with his wife, Cindy Wloch.

Wloch announced his retirement as acting chief in the department earlier this month, after serving as the head of the department since February, when then Fire Chief Thomas Coulombe was put on administrative leave.

Wloch began his career as a firefighter in 1989, in December, and he recalls the first occasion he attended was the company Christmas party.

“It the first function that I went to and met people,” Wloch said. “It was hilarious.”

Wloch and the recently appointed acting Fire Chief Chris Gagnon were the first two paramedics in the department, which he said, “set the department on a new path.”

He also served as the shift commander, then union president as well as a selectman for the town.

“I only served one term, because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get promoted to lieutenant,” Wloch said. “I was one of the top scorers and I got promoted to lieutenant and then to captain and then deputy chief, which I was for about five or six years.”

He said the accomplishments he’s most proud of are starting the fire and EMT course at Ware High School, helping to create a first responder software application for cell phones and bringing the department back to safety standards.

The app, called Irestoreit app, was created to allow first responders to report electrical lines and wires at scenes like car accidents.

“It started when I sent a photo on scene of a car with wires across it to the first line super,” he said. “It allows for them to be able to know what equipment they need and the work that needs to be done.”

He said the app launched about five years ago and has been “a great success.”

On a more local level, Wloch started the yearlong “Introduction to Firefighting and EMS” class which is going on its third year.

The program prepares students for the Massachusetts State Certification Examination to become an EMT as well as training and education to become fire fighter, if the students choose to do so.

“It also served to recruit people into the fire department as well as benefit the schools and students,” Wloch said.

He said Jim Martinez, who has been working with the class for the past three years, will be taking over the program.

Cindy Wloch’s accomplishments include obtaining two 9/11 pieces of steel, which are on display at the station as well as volunteer work and time on the Council on Aging.

“I’m thankful for all that I could do to help the town of Ware. I’m honored to know each and every member of the fire department. They’re excellent people and I hope they succeed in the future,” Cindy Wloch said. “Chris will be a hell of a chief and now the department will go in the right direction.”

Within the department, Wloch said he worked to maintain the safety of the equipment in the fire department.

“We got all of the hoses and ladders tested, the tower fixed, the SEBAs got fixed,” Wloch said. “There was a previous lack of attention to these things and I got it done all within budget.”

He said the department is back up to safety standards and “it’s a nice change I hope can continue.”

After serving as the acting chief, Wloch said he’s ready to move on.

“I’ve had a lot of fun,” Wloch said. “I couldn’t leave in good conscience until the steps were taken to go in the right direction.”

Following taking over as acing chief, Wloch said he had to get the department “back on track.”

“It was important to take action, I had no choice but to get the department on track,” Wloch said. “It’s not too much to ask to have the leader of the department put the department first and foremost. Now that things are going right, it really isn’t my responsibility.”

He said Gagnon is “more focused on policy and he’ll be able to catch up and get them finished.”

Although the end of his tenure was not enjoyable, Wloch said he is proud of his work at the department and is ready for “some me time.”

The Wlochs purchased an RV and made plans to travel earlier this year, and although that didn’t go as planned, they’re looking forward to traveling soon.

“Now it’s our time,” Wloch said.

Their plans include stops like California and Alaska, but they don’t intend on being strangers.