Crime & Safety
Worcester Fire Chief Gardell to Retire at Start of the Year
Worcester's fire chief recently announced his retirement.
WORCESTER, MA — After assuming the position for less than two years, Worcester Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell is retiring.
Chief Gardell, who will retire in January, was appointed fire chief in the summer of 2015. At the time, he informed City Manager Augustus he planned to stay for 12-18 months, said a release.
The city will follow the Massachusetts civil service process in selecting a new fire chief, and internal candidates for the position have already taken a written exam and gone through an assessment center evaluation. The state Civil Service Commission has the results of those evaluations, and is expected to provide the city with a list of candidates this month, said an announcement.
Gardell, a native of Great Brook Valley and lower Vernon Hill, has been with the department since 1984. He has served in a variety of roles, including on the SCUBA Team and the Tech Rescue Team. While serving as Captain of Heavy Rescue 1, Gardell was one of three firefighters named Massachusetts Firefighters of the Year for their efforts in a heroic rescue.
"Chief Gardell is a longtime servant of the people of Worcester and the Worcester Fire Department, and I want to thank him for his decades of dedication to this community," said City Manager Augustus in a statement. "I'm proud to have been able to work with the Chief on a number of important safety and deferred maintenance issues, to provide the Worcester Fire Department with the support and equipment they need to keep us safe."
Before becoming chief, Gardell was a deputy chief in charge of administration and support. He also served as the Department's public information officer, handling news inquiries and communicating vital information to the public.
"It's been my honor and privilege to lead the men and women of the Worcester Fire Department and to serve the citizens of the City of Worcester for 33 years in my many roles leading up to and including Chief," said Chief Gardell in the announcement.
Photo Credit: City of Worcester
