Framingham's Interim Fire Chief Stepping Down

Last Thursday, Framingham Town Manager Robert Halpin announced he selected Deputy Chief Kevin Burns to serve as the Interim Fire Chief for the Framingham Fire Department.

The interim position was to have lasted through the spring, when Halpin could name a permanent chief to replace Gary Daughtery, who gave his resignation in November 2015.

But over the weekend, Burns told Halpin he can no longer take the appointment and today, Jan. 19, would be his last day as interim chief.

Selectman Chair Charlie Sisitsky confirmed Interim Chief Burns is stepping down, as of today.

“He changed his mind,” said Sisitsky.

He told Halpin it was for “personal reasons,” Sisitsky told Framingham Patch this morning.

Halpin was expected to name a new interim chief today.

The Framingham Town Manager was not available for comment this morning.

Burns will stay on as deputy fire chief in the Framingham Fire Department.

Burns is the most senior and experienced among the deputies in the department with more than 27 years of firefighting experience, including shift commander, rescue and emergency management services operations in Framingham.

Halpin launched a search for Framingham Fire Chief and has a dozen applicants, including one internal candidate. He told Selectmen he planned to name a permanent chief this Spring.

Daughtery, who submitted his resignation with a date of January 31, had his last day with the town on Friday, Jan. 15.

“In my discussions and interactions with the firefighters, officers and deputies within the department over the past several months as we prepared for this transition, one sentiment was expressed over and over again: the desire that the Interim Chief be a seasoned, experienced leader in operations within the department. The men and women of Framingham face danger on a day-to-day basis and deserve nothing less than an Interim Chief in whom they will have confidence in calling the shots in those situations. Deputy Chief Burns clearly meets that test and will be able to handle all such situations with calm and clear command,” said Halpin in a press release last week when announcing Burns as the Interim.