Pillarella to Serve as Interim Framingham Fire Chief

Deputy Chief Anthony Pillarella will serve as the Interim Fire Chief for the Framingham Fire Department.

Town Manager Bob Halpin made the official announcement today, Jan. 21.

Deputy Chief Pillarella has served within the Framingham Fire Department for 29 years - 24 of those years he has served as an officer within the department and he has been a Deputy Chief for just over 3 years.

He is currently an instructor with the Department of Fire Services Firefighting Academy and has had a relationship with the academy for more than 25 years.

Pillarella is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. His father is a retired Deputy Chief within the department and he carries on a family tradition of public service within the Framingham Fire Department.

“My discussions earlier this week with Deputy Pillarella and his fellow deputies and with the union leadership leaves little doubt that Deputy Pillarella commands the respect and confidence of the men and women whose supervision and safety is in his hands. He is completely dedicated to the Framingham Fire Department and will lead it with confidence during this transition,” said Halpin.

The Town Manager had earlier appointed Deputy Chief Kevin Burns to serve as Interim Chief but a personal matter forced him to reconsider and ultimately decline the appointment.

He pledged his full support and assistance to Deputy Chief Pillarella when he takes on the Interim Chief’s role next week.

Between the resignation of Interim Fire Chief Burns and the hiring of Interim Fire Chief Pillarella, Deputy Chief Stephen Stone, served as Interim for a few days, said Halpin. Stone did not wish to be Interim Chief, Halpin said.

Current Fire Chief Gary Daugherty is resigning as Fire Chief effective January 31. He gave his resignation in November.

He has served as Fire Chief in Framingham since 2009 and served as Fire Chief in Hopkinton and Hamilton, NJ. Overall, he has served in the fire and emergency services field since 1978.

The Town Manager initiated a recruitment and selection process for a new Fire Chief and hopes to be able to appoint a new Fire Chief prior to next spring.