Parting gifts for Tom ‘OB’ O’Brien after 40 years on the job included a personalized stone tablet, a firefighting axe engraved with his first and final years with Belmont, and a Tupperware container of mashed potatoes.
“When David [Jones] and OB were … together, and David’s wife would make food and bring it in, the one request he always had was mashed potatoes,” explained 911 Supervisor Jimmy (James) Riccio.
“Don’t touch those,” O’Brien joked as the potatoes from dispatcher Jones’ wife were passed back to the table of gifts for the outgoing public safety operations manager.
O’Brien — better known as OB — began as a fire alarm operator in 1989, and has since served as a police and fire dispatcher, a telecommunications trainer, and the 911 supervisor (a role he took on in 2019). In 2023, he was tapped to lead the Communications Center as the operations manager. Regionally, he served on a number of emergency response groups.
“Beyond the titles, he has been a friend, mentor, and a confidant to many,” Lt. Paul Cowing said at a brief retirement ceremony for O’Brien at the police station Friday morning. “Throughout his career, Tom has demonstrated unwavering professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to public safety. His presence on the radio, his stewardship for the people on the phone, and his camaraderie have made a lasting impression on all of us.”
O’Brien’s retirement marks the end of a chapter in the department’s history, as he was the last remaining employee from the original headquarters at 54 Leonard St., according to interim Fire Chief Andrew Tobio.
Speaking to a large crowd that included town officials, such as Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, and past and present public safety personnel from Belmont and beyond, O’Brien thanked everyone for taking time out of their day to recognize him.
“A lot of you know we raised holy hell together on nights and a little bit of hell on the day shifts, but it’s been a fantastic time,” O’Brien said. “Stay safe, everybody. We’ll be in touch.”
Tobio recalled his first major incident in the dispatch room.
“It was my first fire as a dispatcher – I was bouncing around the dispatch room like a pinball, because I was so excited,” he said. “OB reined me in. As a mentor, I knew he was there for me if I needed him, but he let me run the incident, which was amazing.”
Now on the other side of the communications line, Tobio grew to appreciate O’Brien in a new light.
“You’re the person we wanted on the fire side,” he said. “A calm in the chaos. You took control; ensured important messages were delivered. … he was a true friend of the fire service, and even though he loves the police, his heart remains with the fire service.”
Police Chief Shane Smith said O’Brien has been instrumental in his recent transition into the department.
“I’m super appreciative. I’m going to miss you tremendously,” Smith said. “I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors – have fun at the WooSox.”
Succeeding O’Brien will be Riccio.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Riccio said. “I’m not going to say I can fill your shoes, but I will try to carry on what you’ve taught me.”