MARLBOROUGH – The Marlborough Fire Department recently announced a pair of promotions, elevating Omar Torres and Michael Burnell to the rank of lieutenant.
Fire Chief Kevin Breen announced these promotions late last month alongside Mayor Arthur Vigeant. Marlborough Firefighters Local 1714 also shared the news.
“It is my pleasure to promote these two fine members of the Marlborough Fire Department,” Breen said in a press release. “Both have been great stewards of the firefighting profession over the last decade. I trust that they will be strong leaders who will continue their dedicated service in their new roles.”
Torres was appointed to the Marlborough Fire Department on March 26, 2012, and he graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy with Recruit Class 195. He started on Group 4, Engine 3, then was assigned to Rescue 1 for the past five years.
Torres’ dad, the late Anibal Santos, was a firefighter on Newton Fire Department Engine 3.
“This career milestone means the world to my family and I,” Torres said. “It’s something I’ve worked hard to achieve, and I know I’ve made my dad proud looking down on me.”
Torres is replacing Captain Eric Christiansen, who is now acting Marlborough’s Battalion Chief after the retirement of Battalion Chief Dave D’Amico.
Burnell was appointed to the Marlborough Fire Department on July 2, 2012, and he graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy with Recruit Class 196. He also works per diem at the Department of Fire Services in Stow as an air room technician, doing maintenance and repairs of the self-contained breathing apparatus that the students and instructors wear during fire training operations.
Burnell is replacing retired Lieutenant David Cafarelli.
“I was born and raised in the city and it’s an honor for me to become an officer in the Marlborough Fire Department. My parents would have been proud of me,” he said.
Torres resides in Marlborough. He is currently assigned to Battalion 3, Engine 1 at fire headquarters.
Burnell also resides in Marlborough with his wife Candace and his two children, Joey and Emma. His brother Dan Burnell is also a member of the Marlborough Fire Department.
He is currently assigned to Battalion 4, Engine 1 at the fire headquarters.
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