Tom originally joined the fire company in 1963. After a hiatus between 1969 and 1975, he rejoined the fire company and served many years as an engineering officer and fire police officer. Tom served as Third Assistant Engineer in 1978, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990; Second Assistant Engineer in 1991; and First Assistant Engineer in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. He served as Fire Police Captain from 2003 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2017.