Bob McCarthy for State Senate

About Bob McCarthy

Bob McCarthy is a third generation firefighter and lifelong resident of Watertown. A Vietnam era Veteran who proudly served in the United States Navy Submarine Service, USNR, on active duty from 1966 to 1968, he was appointed to the Watertown Fire Department as a firefighter in 1967 (while he was in the service) and retired as a Fire Captain in 2001. In 1985 McCarthy was elected to the position of Legislative Agent for the Professional Firefighters of MA, a statewide union of 200 local fire unions representing more than 12,000 professional firefighters. In 1987 he was elected to the office of President; he served in this role until he retired in January of 2011.  He worked tirelessly at the State Capitol with the Legislative and Executive branch of State Government and was successful with numerous pieces of legislation that were enacted into law that placed firefighters on a higher scale of skill and efficiency and established financial grants to all fire departments for safe staffing and safe equipment.  He currently is one of seven Commissioners of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, an entity that promulgates rules and regulations for the 105 State, District and Municipal Retirement Boards in the Commonwealth.

McCarthy graduated from St. Patrick High School Watertown. He received an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Massachusetts Bay Community College and attended and completed courses at the Harvard University Trade Union Program. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Fitchburg State University from 1990 to 1999 and also served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Massachusetts from 2000 to 2009.

Robert McCarthy, 66, is a homeowner in Watertown with his wife of 43 years Dotty (Maurer) McCarthy.  They have three children and five grandchildren.

AN ADVOCATE:

• Played a critical role in the passage of many pieces of public safety legislation including: The Cancer Presumption Bill, the Line of Duty Death Benefit Bill for Fire and Police Officers, Defense and administration of the Heart Law, the Lung Law and the Injury on Duty Law.
• Worked tirelessly on behalf of working families across the Commonwealth to protect healthcare, wages, collective bargaining and to improve emergency medical transportation  and delivery of emergency medical services.
• Implemented Statewide Hazardous Materials Response Teams and Grants for the (SAFE) program that funded Massachusetts Fire departments with grants to teach children the Hazards of smoking.  

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER:

• Firefighter of the Year, Fire Marshal's Award (3 times)
• Award from the President of the New York City Fire Officers IAFF President, "For your tireless efforts and support for the widows and families of the September 11th disaster."
• The Richard Mastrangelo Award and Medal for "Outstanding service to Watertown”
• The Roll of Merit Award and Medal, Watertown Lodge of Elks No. 1513
• Mr. Norman Knight Award for Massachusetts Firefighters Memorial at the State House
• Certificates of Appreciation for decades of distinguished service from every level of              government including Federal, State and Local elected officials and organizations

A COMMUNITY LEADER:

Founding and Charter Member of the Massachusetts Association Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s)  *  Founding Director and Treasurer Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial Inc.  *  Committee Member, SERC State Emergency Response Commission  *  Former Watertown Town Meeting Member  *  Chairman and Elected Member State - Watertown Contributory Retirement Board  *  Former Commissioner, Watertown Recreation Department  *  Former Board of Directors, Watertown Boys and Girls Club  *  Former Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield   *  Vice President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO   *  Jobs for Massachusetts, Director  *  Trustee, Fitchburg State College  *  Trustee, University of Massachusetts

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