Eastport Teen Carries On Family Tradition In Fire Department

The Eastport Fire Department welcomed its newest firefighter earlier this month—one who’s been a regular around the firehouse for the past 17 years.

On September 8, the department voted in Virginia Massey as a probationary firefighter, something she’s been working toward for the past five years as a junior firefighter, and something she’s aspired to for nearly her entire life—all 17 years of it.

“I came home [from the hospital] in a chief’s truck,” she said. “So, I’ve been around it forever.”

A fourth-generation Eastport native and fire department volunteer, Virginia has been in the outfit’s junior firefighter program since age 12, holding leadership roles the past three years, including two years as captain, the group’s highest rank. During that time she led her fellow juniors in fundraisers, charitable activities and competitions at the Southampton Fire Department Muster.

Chris Murray, the senior adviser of the Eastport Fire Department juniors, said Virginia has displayed strong leadership skills during her time with the group, and he anticipates great things from her moving forward.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she became Eastport’s first female chief,” Mr. Murray said. “She’s just smart, she has the ability to handle people, she pays attention to a lot of details and she’s got good leadership skills.”

Mr. Murray explained that once Virginia, a senior at the Eastport South Manor High School, completes her one year probation period, which starts on October 1, she will be the department’s second female firefighter, with the first being Melissa Frey.

Rising to the top of the ranks in the department is something Virginia has aspired to for years, as she yearns to follow in the footsteps of her father, Kurt Massey, and uncle, Paul Massey, both of whom have served as chief of the department.

Her family’s history of service is what sparked Virginia’s interest in joining in the first place.

“I enjoy helping people and I enjoy being around people that help others,” she said. “It’s been a family tradition to be in the fire department and it’s important to my family to help others.”

Although the role of chief has changed since he held the position from 1997 to 1998, namely to include more administrative duties and paperwork in order to comply with state regulations, Kurt Massey said he’s always believed that his younger daughter has what it takes to one day rise to the position, pointing to all that she’s accomplished as a junior firefighter.

“Right now, out of our three chiefs, two of them are past juniors, both captains are past juniors, and probably about half the lieutenants are past juniors,” Mr. Massey said. “The ones who aren’t are usually ones who transfer in from other departments.”

Mr. Murray said the fact that so many current officers went through the junior firefighters is a testament to the success of the program, which was established to build up interest among younger community members. He also feels that Virginia is a continuation of that success.

Mr. Massey noted that when he was chief, the age of the average volunteer was about 60; today, it is somewhere between the late 40s and early 50s.

Mr. Massey, whose older daughter, Indiana, joined the department’s Ladies Auxiliary before moving away to attend Hampshire College in Massachusetts, said he’s proud of his family’s involvement in the department, as well as his younger daughter’s achievement.

“I’m very proud of her,” he said. “She’s worked very hard to get here.”

Virginia said while she is nervous about the year-long probation period, she is excited to get involved with fire department activities, such as the pancake breakfast fundraisers held every Sunday in November at the Union Avenue firehouse.

Beyond that, she’s eager to help her hometown.

“It’s important to help your community because if you fall, they’re there to help you back up,” she said. “If you help them, they help you.”