New Framingham Fire Chief Is 23-Year Veteran

FRAMINGHAM, MA —Interim Framingham Fire Department Chief Michael Dutcher was named the new permanent chief this week, Mayor Yvonne Spicer said Thursday.

Dutcher has been the acting chief since November, when former chief Joseph Hicks began a medical leave. Hicks announced in early February that he would retire by March.

Dutcher has worked for the department for 23 years, and has served in multiple leadership roles as a captain, assistant chief, lieutenant, and training officer. Dutcher is also Framingham's assistant emergency management director. He's also the operations chief for the Central Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team, which includes members from 23 towns from Natick to Marlborough.

Dutcher also has a family legacy in the Framingham Fire Department.

“I’m proud to carry on Framingham’s long-standing history of excellence and public service,” he said in a news release. “My dad retired from the Framingham Fire Department as a captain in 2002. I am honored to maintain the fire service tradition.”

Before retiring, former chief Hicks began his firefighting career in Framingham in 1988, and also served as fire marshal. He was initially appointed chief in 2016.