East Providence Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian Retires

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — After more than three decades with the department, East Providence's Fire Chief is stepping. On Tuesday, the city announced the retirement of Chief Oscar Elmasian.

"We thank Chief Elmasian for his years of dedication to the city of East Providence and wish him well on his retirement," Mayor Bob DaSilva said in a statement.

Until a permanent replacement can be found, Glenn Quick will serve as interim chief.

"The residents of our community know that when they are in an emergency, the fire and police departments will be there to assist them with the highest professional standards," DaSilva continued.

Elmasian is retiring after nearly 33 years with the department. In 2012, he was named acting chief before he was officially appointed to the position by then-City Manager Peter Graczykowski in 2013.

The East Providence fire chief oversees 120 firefighters and emergency medical responders across four fire stations. Over the course of his tenure as chief, Elmasian secured a $215,000 grant for the department for education initiatives and to purchase new equipment.

Elmasian was also a dedicated member of the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs and the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, serving as a drummer over the course of a decade.