ACTON — Town Manager John S. Mangiaratti is pleased to announce that Anita Arnum has been appointed as the new permanent chief of the Acton Fire Department, making her the first woman to lead the department.
The appointment took effect on Friday, Oct. 13.
Chief Arnum was already the highest ranking woman in the history of the Acton Fire Department when she served as deputy chief and interim chief, a role she has filled since earlier this year when former Chief Robert Hart retired.
Arnum began her career with the Acton Fire Department as a full-time firefighter in 1989. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in January 2012 and named Captain in March 2017. She was named Deputy Chief and Town Emergency Management Director in November 2020.
Arnum has a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and Chemistry from UMass Amherst, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College. She is also a graduate of the Grants Management Certificate Program from Management Concepts, and a graduate of the Chief Fire Officer Training Program at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.
Arnum is a state and nationally registered paramedic, a member of the State Hazmat Response Team, and a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Search and Rescue System. She is also certified in numerous technical rescue fields, and is qualified as an instructor/trainer in EMS, hazmat, firefighting, and technical rescue.
Arnum helped guide the Town of Acton through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing testing, vaccination clinics and procuring difficult to obtain personal protective equipment for firefighters.
She is also known for fostering positive relationships between town departments and the community, and constantly seeks out opportunities for the Department to train, grow, and work with other communities to stay at the forefront of technology.
“I am proud to have been selected to lead the men and women of the Acton Fire Department,” said Chief Arnum. “I look forward to leading this department and to working our hardest to give the people of Acton a professional, and responsive department that is here for our residents.”
“Anita Arnum is a leader in our organization and respected member of the fire department who brings extensive experience in fire service and paramedicine, along with expertise in emergency management from her work in regional and national task forces,” said Town Manager Mangiaratti. “I look forward to working with Chief Arnum to continue to provide services that are responsive to community needs.”