Deputy fire chief battles blazes into retirement; click story to see videos

By Maureen Boyle, Enterprise Staff Writer

BROCKTON — Edward Mack spent his first day as a firefighter battling a blaze. He ended his 34-year career the same way.

“I came full circle,” Mack said.





Mack, 58, retired as deputy fire chief Friday, spending part of his last day at a fire on Plymouth Street.

“It is kind of ironic,” Fire Chief Kenneth Galligan said.

Mack started on the fire department in 1974, following in the footsteps of his firefighter father, Alfred, and moved up the ranks to deputy chief.

He was called to his first fire on East Chestnut Street his first day on the job — before he was even trained in what was then called “drill school.”

“They said, 'Get on the truck,'” Mack said.

He said he wasn't nervous that first day. “I was just excited,” he said.

Galligan said Mack will be missed on the department. “He is very well respected,” he said.

Mack, the father of three, said he will teach fire science part-time during retirement. His wife, Elaine, is a bank teller.

Mack said ending his career at a fire scene is fitting.

“As long as no one gets hurt,” he said.