Gardell Named as Worcester’s New Fire Chief
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
New WFD Chief Geoffrey Gardell
“I would like to thank the City Manager for choosing me as the next WFD fire chief, I am honored and excited for the opportunity. Chief Dio is leaving big shoes to fill; he is the ultimate professional and I have learned much from his tutelage,” said Gardell. “I would like to wish him much happiness on his well-deserved retirement.”
Gardell will serve in the role of Chief before he retires in the next 12-18 months. The city plans to conduct a thorough assessment of candidates for a long-term replacement.
“Worcester is blessed with an abundance of talent in our Fire Department, and I am thrilled to appoint Geoff Gardell, who will be able to step into the role of chief and hit the ground running,” Augustus said. “Chief Dio has been a part of the City of Worcester family for 35 years, and we are sorry to see him go. But the department is being left in good hands.”
Gardell, a Worcester native, has been with the department for 31 years. He was one of three firefighters named Worcester Firefighters of the Year while serving as Captain of Heavy Rescue 1.
Promoted to deputy chief in 2011, Gardell has been in charge of administration and support, overseeing the daily activities of training, prevention, and apparatus and station maintenance. He also served as the department’s public information officer, handling news inquiries and communicating vital information to the public.
Chief Dio announced his retirement back in February. Dio has served as Chief for the past 15 years and has been with the Worcester Fire Department for 35 years. During his time as Chief, the Fire Department witnessed a new fire station on Franklin Street, a new 911 call center on McKeon Road, new burn buildings, SCUBA gear and other dive equipment, and several new fire apparatus through state and federal grants.
Also under Dio's command, following the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire, Worcester was the first city in the nation to tag vacant buildings as structurally sound for an interior attack.
“Chief Dio has led Worcester’s fire department through tragedy and triumph, and for 15 years was the heart and soul of one of the finest departments in the nation,” Augustus said. “His leadership will be missed.”
District Chief Michael Lavoie will be promoted to Deputy Chief to fill the open slot after Gardell's appointment.
Chief Lavoie has been with the department since 1987 and currently serves as the North End District Chief. He has proven his leadership and communication skills time and again while serving as incident commander at countless fire scenes.
A ceremony will be held August 14 at City Hall to swear in Chief Gardell.
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