Framingham Appointed New Fire Chief

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Deputy Chief Joseph Hicks has been selected to serve as the Fire Chief for Framingham Fire Department.

Hicks started off as a firefighter in Framingham back in 1988 and became one of five deputy chiefs in 2011.

Hicks has worn many hats in the department, having worked as an Administrative Captain which includes duties serving as the department’s: chief training officer; safety officer; EMS and infection control officer; dive team leader; and hazardous materials decontamination officer.

"Having worked his way up through the ranks and having served with the men and women of the Framingham Fire Department for almost 30 years, Deputy Chief Hicks is intimately familiar with the overall needs of the Framingham Community and how the Framingham Fire Department fits into the day to day effort to protect the public and respond to emergencies when they occur," Town Manager Robert Halpin said in a statement.

Halpin praised Hicks for his leadership skills and team approach as well as his implementation of new technology within the department.

“The Framingham Fire Department has a long standing history of excellence and dedication to public safety. I am proud to be appointed the Chief of such an elite team of fire service professionals and I look forward to guiding the department into the future. The safety and well-being of Framingham’s residents, businesses, and visitors will always be the core of our mission,” Hicks said in the statement.

Under the Town Manager Act in Framingham, the Board of Selectmen will be asked to concur with this appointment at its meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. If the Board of Selectmen vote to concur, Hicks will be sworn in Tuesday night.

A formal promotional ceremony will follow at a later date promoting Captain Marc Leoprati to Deputy Chief; Lieutenant James Ahern and Lieutenant Kurt O’Rourke to Captain; Fire Fighter Brian Knight, Fire Fighter Jose Rubio, Fire Fighter Greg Benetich and Fire Fighter Susan Crippen to Lieutenant; and Fire Fighter Luke Moro to Temporary Lieutenant, according to the news release.

Susan Crippen will be the first female Firefighter in the history of the department to rank as lieutenant.

Photo via the Town of Framingham