NATICK, Mass. (Oct. 1, 2015) -- Joe Murphy was never one to sit in an office. In fact, the lasting image is of him walking around Natick Soldier Systems Center.
"That's my job, really," Murphy said. "I am not good at desk work."
After 34 years on the job, Murphy is retiring as the fire inspector in U.S. Army Garrison Natick's Directorate of Emergency Services. One of only three inspectors in the installation's 61-year history, he had the longest tenure, by far.
"Just the nicest place on Earth to work," said Murphy of Natick. "I feel I should give this place a party, rather than the other way. They're nice people. They've really been great."
It has been Murphy's responsibility to protect those people during more than half of NSSC's existence. He noted that he was born in this town six years before the earliest foundations were laid at the center.
"There was nothing here," said Murphy of the site where NSSC now stands. "It was empty."
Murphy has also seen major changes since he first stepped foot on the base in April 1981.
"When I started here, the place was totally different," Murphy said. "A lot of these buildings weren't here. A lot of them have been built since I've been here."
The Vietnam veteran, who also spent three decades with the Town of Natick Fire Department, oversaw the installation of a modern fire protection system at NSSC.
"Smoke detectors are the biggest advancement," Murphy said. "They really changed the game. Fire prevention is like smoke detectors. You'll never know how many lives you saved, because (something) didn't happen. It's the way prevention should be."
As Murphy pointed out, people are a big part of the fire prevention equation.
"You're never going to stop all fires or accidents, but people here have been great," Murphy said. "The directors I've always had and the garrison commanders have always supported fire prevention and safety. They've just flat-out done it."
They have had plenty of help from Murphy, who has won a number of awards, including Army fire inspection officer of the year.
Murphy admitted that NSSC is different than other Army installations for a fire inspector.
"A lot of the larger bases, they have fire departments," Murphy said. "Here, we rely on the Town of Natick Fire Department. They're a good town to work with."
The 67-year-old Murphy and Pamela, his wife of 43 years, will spend more time with the four children and seven grandchildren. Beyond that, Murphy has no plans.
"No, I never made plans in my life," Murphy said. "Make your plans in pencil, because they're always going to change.
"Just, things happen as you go along, kind of like God takes you where you're supposed to be."
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