Approximately 18 years ago, lifelong North Reading resident, Michael LeBlanc, graduated from the 1st MPOC Police Academy which was held in Reading, MA. Soon thereafter, in front of a gathering of family, friends, Town officials and many of his new colleagues, Mike was officially sworn in as North Reading Police Officer. During his swearing in, he took an oath, an oath delivered by then Town Clerk Betty Vullo, in which he faithfully pledged to serve and protect the Town and its residents.
Fast forward to June 24, 2016, where in front of a group of family, friends, town officials, colleagues from the North Reading Police Department and members of the North Reading Fire Department, Officer LeBlanc was officially sworn in by Town Clerk, Barbara Stats as the newest member of the North Reading Fire Department, assuming the new title of Fire Fighter-Paramedic.
It what would be considered a highly unusual occurrence in public safety circles, Mike as a Police Officer had successfully switched hats so to speak, from the navy blue police duty cap to a black and gold firefighter’s helmet, again taking an oath committing to protecting and serving the North Reading community in a far different but equally important way.
Those who have worked with and or have been close to Mike over the years were all well aware of his appreciation and enthusiasm for what his brothers in the fire service do for the local community. Mike has always been renowned for excelling in the areas of mutual aid, which as a police officer he provided to the North Reading Fire Department. This aid came during response to fires, car crashes and medical emergencies to name a few. Mike was one of several Police Officers who were certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs). As an EMT, Mike was able to provide care to those in need at a higher level than traditional first responders are able to. Mike’s high level skills as an EMT, providing emergency medical care led to him becoming a certified trainer in areas such as CPR, patient care and the use of AEDs (automatic heart defibrillators). As a trainer, Mike enthusiastically trained not only other first responders but many members of our community in those empowering and lifesaving skills.
Over the years Mike’s appreciation for the fire service noticeably grew and Mike developed high quality working and personal relationships with the members of our Fire Department. In 2014 based on a personal recommendation from NRFD Chief William “Bill” Warnock, Mike was hired by the Town of Middleton, MA, as an “On-Call Fire Fighter”. This time spent as an On-Call Fire Fighter was the tipping point for Mike, at which time he decided to take the necessary steps which would allow him the possibility of someday becoming a full time Fire Fighter.
The first of those steps was to take the MA Civil Service, Entry Level Fire Fighter Exam, which Mike took and subsequently passed. The next and more challenging of those steps, was committing to becoming a licensed paramedic. All new hires for the North Reading Fire Department must be licensed paramedics. Mike decided to take a leap of faith and he enrolled in the paramedic school. After 18 months of intensive study, Mike passed the grueling paramedic exam, clearing one of the last major hurdles in his path to a potential life changing career move. Mike spoke to this achievement during his swearing in, specifically thanking his wife Julie and daughter Jess for their support, mentioning that without it the task would have been impossible. Mike’s final step which he completed last Thursday was the MA Fire Fighter’s Physical Ability Test.
Through support of Mike’s vision and dream to not only become a Fire Fighter, but to continue to serve the community for which he has lived in and worked in his entire life, Town Officials including members of the Board of Selectman, Town Administrator Michael Gilberto, North Reading Fire Chief Bill Warnock and North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy all worked together to make it happen. The goal was to retain a valuable asset of the town’s public safety team, a fully vetted and trusted first responder, in town, now as a North Reading Fire Fighter. Upon completion of Mike’s swearing in, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto said “We thank Officer LeBlanc for his service on the Police Department, and we look forward to this next phase of his service to the Town of North Reading in our Fire Department”. Fire Chief Warnock told the crowd at Mike swearing in that his department was excited to see Mike begin the work that lays ahead of him as well as to see his potential contributions to the department and the community as a North Reading Fire Fighter.
Chief Michael Murphy and the Officers of the North Reading Police Department have always understood Mike’s strong desire to become a Fire Fighter. Although over the years the idea never seemed like a true possibility up until recently. Over the years Mike has contributed to the community in many positive and impactful ways as a Police Officer. In addition to the exceptional performance of his daily duties for the past 18 years, Mike did additional work for the Department. As a patrolman Mike was one of our premier DARE Officers as well as a skilled School Resource Officer. Through his dedicated efforts, Mike worked hand in hand with members of our School Department and the youth of our community, teaching class after class from K-12 the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse and how kids can stay safe from differ types of childhood dangers. “I’m proud of Mike and what he’s accomplished over his police career. I’m happy for him and his family. His dream of becoming a fire fighter is now a reality. I wish him well” Chief Michael P. Murphy.
In conclusion, the members of the North Reading Police Department, past and present, would like to thank Officer Michael P. LeBlanc and his family for his 18 plus years of service as a North Reading Police Officer, during which he served the Department and community with dedication, valor and integrity, always upholding that oath which he first took back in 1998. Although he will be missed, we are all happy to see that a member of our local law enforcement family has had the opportunity to fulfill such a worthwhile endeavor with this new chosen career path. We look forward to seeing him begin his new career as a Fire Fighter, as we look forward to maintaining the friendships that were forged within the North Reading public safety community.
Congratulations Mike and Best Wishes,
Your friends and brothers at the North Reading Police Department