GLOUCESTER– Chief Eric Smith announces that Assistant Chief Joe Aiello will retire at the end of December after more than three decades in the fire service.
Assistant Chief Aiello will retire on Dec. 31 after serving with the Gloucester Fire Department for the last 34 years.
“Assistant Chief Aiello has been an integral part of the Gloucester Fire Department, especially over the last few months as we’ve navigated through the pandemic,” Chief Smith said. “He’s shown immense dedication to the safety of everyone in the Gloucester community, and has proven to be a well-respected, capable leader. It’s been an honor to serve beside him, and we wish him and his family the very best.”
Assistant Chief Aiello joined the Gloucester Fire Department in 1986 and was promoted to captain in 2001. He was promoted to assistant chief and appointed as the City’s Emergency Management Director in 2018. He also served with the Swampscott Fire Department from 1991-1995.
In 2013, Assistant Chief Aiello received the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Firefighter of the Year Award for his efforts in helping to rescue a 15-year-old girl from a burning house. He has also received several commendations from the City of Gloucester throughout his career.
“Assistant Chief Aiello has gone above and beyond to protect the health and safety of Gloucester residents during his time with the department,” Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken said. “He has been a tremendous leader in his role of Emergency Management Director during the pandemic, helping us thoughtfully and carefully navigate through these challenging times. We will miss him deeply, and wish him a very happy retirement.”
He has undergone training through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute, where he has taken courses in emergency planning, public information and other topics.
He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators and is a Pro Board Certified Safety Officer.
The Gloucester Fire Department is currently in the process of selecting a new Assistant Chief.
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