SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi has been announced as this year's Honorary Chair of the Spirit of Springfield’s World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. MSPCA-Angell provides care to dogs rescued from Springfield fire The President and CEO of the Nai smith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, John Doleva announced this year’s chair successor, Commissioner Calvi, who is being recognized for seven years of service to the city and the residents of Springfield, and has over 30 years of experience in fire and emergency services. Commissioner Calvi also manages 274 firefighters, 45 emergency communications personnel, and 14 civilian employees.  Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Louis Theros, MGM Springfield President, John Sjoberg, Spirit of Springfield Chair, his colleagues from the Spirit of Springfield Board, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers are all in attendance for the announcement. Commissioner Calvi was presented with the traditional Spirit of Springfield jacket bearing his honorary title. “I am truly honored and humbled to be asked to be Honorary Chairman of this year’s World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast,” said Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi.  “Being asked to be the Honorary Chairman will not only  allow me to support the great City of Springfield, but the Spirit of Springfield organization as well, and all of good work they do in the community.” "Just being out with the community and seeing everyone on what is a good day. We usually run into a lot of community members on the worst day they are having, when their house is on fire or they're having another emergency so it's always great to be at these events and see people on a good day," continued Commissioner Calvi. Courtesy: Springfield Fire Captain Drew PiemonteCourtesy: Springfield Fire Captain Drew PiemonteCourtesy: Springfield Fire Captain Drew PiemonteCourtesy: Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte “We are pleased to honor Commissioner Calvi,” said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt.  “He has dedicated his life to protecting others, and for the last seven years he has made Springfield a leader in fire service.” The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is in honor of Springfield’s birthday and has been an annual tradition since 1986. This event, which has been sponsored by MGM Springfield since 2013, will be held on May 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Main Street from State Street to Bridge Street and features a hot, hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice, milk, lots of entertainment and activities, and community spirit.  Local News Headlines Maureen Neal, wife of Congressman Richard Neal, has died Chicopee law enforcement to conduct emergency training at Memorial State Park Belchertown police recover rifles, search for suspect Massachusetts sex offender remains in prison for downloading over 300 files of child porn WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less