Billerica Police EMS Director Joe Devlin Retiring, to be Replaced by Director Robert O’Brien

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that EMS Director Joe Devlin is retiring from a 32-year career with the Town of Billerica. Devlin will be replaced as director by Paramedic Robert O’Brien, who has worked for the town for 20 years.

Director Devlin will retire from a 32-year career on Jan. 24. He was hired as a paramedic with Billerica EMS in 1993, and rose through the department’s ranks as it expanded over the years.

In 2011, Devlin was promoted to EMS Supervisor. He became EMS director in 2021, overseeing 16 full-time paramedics and a department that operates two 24/7 ambulances for the town. 

Director Devlin oversaw the department as it expanded to operating two 24/7 ambulances in 2016 due to increased call volume in town. 

As EMS Director, Devlin coordinated EMS services in town throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Working directly with the Board of Health, along with Billerica Fire and Emergency Management, Director Delvin was instrumental in helping to coordinate a local public health response to the pandemic. He also helped coordinate the creation of a Town of Billerica COVID-19 testing site in November 2020, a period of time when many people in Massachusetts had limited access to reliable testing. 

“I want to thank Director Devlin for his 32 years of exceptional service to the Town of Billerica,” said Chief Frost. “Director Devlin oversaw both an expansion of our EMS services, as well as our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His professionalism and experience will be greatly missed.”

Director Devlin will be replaced by Paramedic O’Brien, who has been with the Town of Billerica for 20 years out of his more than 27-year career in EMS. O’Brien was chosen from among six finalists for the position, following a very competitive open application period. 

Director O’Brien is a nationally certified paramedic who has worked as the Clinical Coordinator for Billerica EMS since 2016, overseeing quality assurance and improvement.

Director O’Brien holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Clark University, and a certificate in Paramedic Medicine from Quinsigamond College. He previously worked for Norwood Hospital and Action Ambulance.

The transition to a new EMS Director will take place over the next few weeks leading to Director Devlin’s retirement on Jan. 24. 

“I am confident that our interview process identified Paramedic O’Brien as the candidate most ready, motivated and well-suited to bring Billerica EMS into the future, while also continuing to focus on the services’ well-earned tradition of high quality emergency patient care and community engagement,” said Chief Frost.