Twelve years of an era have come to an end. I cannot count the number of homes my crew and I have saved, and the lives we’ve transformed over the last decade. With deep gratitude and excitement, I am honored to share with you my personal transformation.

I humbly announce my departure from the Somerville Fire Department.

I will continue serving my community in a different capacity. My focus and passion is renovating distressed properties, providing jobs, opportunity, as well as providing safe, clean homes to the community that I love.

— Josu’e Velney / Photo by Paul Caulfield