Timothy Choate Sworn in as New Sudbury Fire Chief 

SUDBURY — The Sudbury Fire Department welcomed a new Chief on Monday, Feb. 3. 

Chief Timothy Choate was formally sworn in by Sudbury Town Clerk Beth R. Klein in a ceremony that welcomed friends and family, past and present members of the Sudbury Fire Department, the Sudbury Police Department, Town staff, and members of surrounding Fire Departments. 

“The men and women of the Sudbury Fire Department work tirelessly every day making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.” said Chief Choate, “It’s because of their efforts that Sudbury Fire has such a great reputation. I’m humbled and honored to work with them and excited as we begin a new chapter of the Sudbury Fire Department.”

Choate would also like to recognize his wife Shannon and daughter Aubree Lee for the tremendous support they have provided over the years. “I could not have done it without them,” Choate said. 

Chief Choate has an extensive history working in and leading in fire service, including 30 years with the Sudbury Fire Department and more than 30 years with the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He received his Fire Chief credentialing from the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission in 2015 and holds a Master of Public Administration in Fire Services Administration from Anna Maria College. 

He joined the Sudbury Fire Department as a third-generation firefighter in 1993. He took on roles of increasing importance, being appointed as Assistant Fire Chief in 2018. He will succeed Chief John Whalen, who retired on Monday.

The impact Choate has had on Sudbury Fire was evident during the ceremony. About 30 past and present Sudbury Firefighters joined in the celebration, including Choate’s first Fire Chief Michael Dunne, who flew in from San Diego on the morning of the ceremony, and first Fire Captain Gerry Spiller, who drove down from Goffstown, N.H. to be there. 

Choate noted that both Chief Dunne and Captain Spiller were great leaders whose mindset and legacy Choate aspires to continue in his new role. When Choate initially assumed the position of Captain within Sudbury, he told his Lieutenant that he intended to lead the group just like Captain Spiller did.  

Chief Officers from the region’s Fire Departments as well as Chiefs from Franklin, Bellingham, Sterling, Weymouth and Brockton were also part of the ceremony. Several of Choate’s peers from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and partners from the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center also attended.