GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce the promotion of Robert “Bob” Rivas to Assistant Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director.
Assistant Chief Rivas joined the Gloucester Fire Department in 1997 as a firefighter and EMT, and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in 2014. He has extensive training in emergency response operations and is also trained in advanced fire skills, fire inspection and code enforcement, building construction for fire protection and fire protection systems and equipment.
He was also recognized as Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year in 2013.
“I’m really looking forward to my new role within our Department,” Assistant Chief Rivas said. “We have a great group here in Gloucester all the way through the ranks. If I can help maintain the progress of Chief Smith and both Assistant Chiefs before me in providing the citizens of Gloucester with outstanding fire protection, emergency medical services and prevention then I’ll have done a good job.”
Monday, Dec. 21 was Assistant Chief Rivas’s first day in his new role.
“Assistant Chief Rivas has demonstrated a sincere dedication to serving the City of Gloucester, emergency preparedness and fire prevention, and we are thrilled to announce this well deserved promotion,” Chief Smith said. “He has served our department very well since he joined us, and our staff will benefit tremendously from his continued leadership and expertise.”
“We are very pleased that Assistant Chief Rivas has been selected to fill this role, and are confident he will continue to be a tremendous asset to our City,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “We know that Assistant Chief Rivas has extensive training and is deeply invested in building connections between the community and the Fire Department, and those are wonderful qualities that will serve him well in this post.”
Assistant Chief Rivas replaces retired Assistant Chief Joseph Aiello, who served the department for 34 years.
Prior to joining the Gloucester Fire Department, Assistant Chief Rivas served as the assistant harbor master in Beverly for approximately three years, and he served in the United States Coast Guard from 1992-6.
He has also previously served as the President of Local 762 and an Executive Board Member.
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