By Sandy Quadros Bowles, Editor

As Natick grows, so does the demand on the town’s fire department.

That is one reason that Christopher Hampton has been promoted to the role of assistant fire chief.

This new position, which he started in February, provides daily oversight to allow the chief to take on broader responsibilities..

The  job was created to ensure there is a chief officer dedicated to the day to day operations, “someone who is directly connected to our crews and focused on training, safety, and readiness,’’ Hampton said.

While the chief has a broader strategic focus, Hampton’s new role provides firefighters with “the leadership support they need on the ground every day.’’

The job reflects the department’s growing call volume. In 2024, the department broke the 6,000 call number for the first time. They responded to 6,500 calls last year. “Each year we go up 400 or 500 more,’’ he said.

In his new position, Hampton will also emphasize “training, safety and readiness,’’ which is especially important as the call volume grows and “the types of emergencies we respond to have become more complex.’’

This training keeps the firefighters “the best they can be, so they can go forward and provide that great service to the community.’’

He also emphasizes firefighting wellness and mental health resources. Sadly, not every call has a positive outcome.

“Those moments can stay with you,’’ he said. “We ask our people to carry a heavy burden, and we owe it to them to make sure they have the support they need, both on the job and off.’’

Hampton is no stranger to the Natick Fire Department or the town itself. A town native, he graduated from Natick High School.

He joined the Marines after finishing high school. While serving, he “fell in love with the camaraderie’’ of the corps and “knew I wanted to continue serving’’ once he left the Marines.

He decided that fire service was “a natural fit.’’ 

Hampton, 40, spent five years with the Wellesley Fire Department before joining Natick Fire. Since then, he worked his way through the ranks, from firefighter to Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, and now Assistant Chief. 

Along the way, he earned a master’s degree in public administration and recently finished the Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He is also a credentialed chief in the state of Massachusetts.

He takes joy in the sense of service imbedded in the job and “knowing that what you do matters. There are very few professions where you show up on someone’s worst day and have the ability to make it better.’’

But as with all jobs, there are challenges to face. The work often forces him to miss holidays, birthdays and bedtime routine. 

“Every firefighter has to navigate this,’’ he said. “You find ways to work around it,’’ but “it’s taxing’’ on loved ones.

He is grateful for the support of his wife Kelsey and his children Noah, 13, Claire, 8, Emily, 5, and John, 4.

“Their support through all this has been unwavering,’’ he said. “I wouldn’t be here without them.’’

His fellow firefighters also provide invaluable backing, he said. He described his colleagues as a “second family.’’

He hopes in turn to serve as source of support for them. “I have an open door,’’ he said. “I want them to feel like they have a voice.’’