THOMASTON – As a youngster growing up in the Thomaston Fire Station, where his father once delegated emergency calls as a dispatcher, helped organize the first town ambulance service, and for a time, presided as fire chief, Tony Leo and his children’s fire hat offered helpful assistance to the crew, thereby earning the affectionate nickname of “Little Chief.”

But in 1991, at the age of 16, Leo joined the department as an actual member and that hat became a symbol only.

“They told me I couldn’t have that hat until I became a chief,” said Leo. “Thirty something years later, here I am becoming a chief.”

Monday evening, February 28, 2022, at Thomaston Town Office, Leo’s father, Michael, pinned the Assistant Fire Chief badge to Tony’s lapel as Tony’s proud mother, wife, and daughter flanked him. Skirting the room, firefighters and EMTs from surrounding towns were in attendance, joined by firefighters from Bristol and Scarborough.

Having worked the fire and EMS scene in Scarborough, Thomaston, South Thomaston, and their mutual aid towns, Leo has seen some horrific sights – the kind that make others walk away and never return. Leo returns.

Why?

The automatic response comes from the problem facing the nation as it struggles to recruit a new generation.

“Somebody’s got to do it,” said Leo. “There’s nobody waiting in line to get involved.”

This response is followed by the softened tone that broaches a topic only the strongest can voice. This is the child of the fire station who, at two years old disappeared and was found at a truck, trying to figure out how to pump the truck; and at 8, disappeared and was found in the truck, having figured out how to work that pump.

This is the father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, and relative of another responder.

Three years ago, Leo disappeared, but he didn’t disappear physically.

A lot of public safety people have committed suicide, including many in Maine, according to Leo.

“I’ve never been to that point, but I could see that things in my brain were going the wrong way,” he said.

With the help of a counselor who specializes in post traumatic stress for public safety officials, Leo has turned his thoughts around.

“I encourage everybody to do that who’s in this job,” he said. “We’ve got to help ourselves in order to help other people.”

It’s those services – horrific at times – that are in Leo’s blood. During the Monday’s ceremony, Peter Lammert – himself a former Thomaston firefighter whose crew took the child Tony under their wings – told a story of a young, frustrated Tony walking into the school gym between classes.

According to Lammert, Tony said, “I’m trying to learn something, and they aren’t teaching it.”

Lammert asked what he was trying to learn.

“I’m trying to learn how to be a fireman,” said Tony.

And now, according to Lammert, full circle. Fireman, Chief’s hat, and the tools necessary to return and help others.

“Congratulations, and keep doing what you’ve been doing,” said Lammert.