Gloucester Fire Department Promotes Nicholas Ouellette to Assistant Fire Chief

GLOUCESTER — The Gloucester Fire Department has promoted Capt. Nicholas Ouellette, a 16-year veteran of the department, to be Assistant Fire Chief.

Assistant Chief Ouellette joined the Gloucester Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic on Oct. 17, 2010, after graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. 

Prior to joining the department, Assistant Chief Ouellette earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from UMass Amherst. He also attended Paramedic School at Northeastern University, and obtained his paramedic certification in 2008.

In 2016, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and in 2020 he was promoted to Captain. 

Assistant Chief Ouellette is a Pro Board-certified Fire Officer 3, and a Pro Board-certified Fire Instructor 2. He is also a former instructor at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Assistant Chief Ouellette has served as the department’s communications officer. He has also written two successful grant applications for the department, helping to obtain grants for communications and infrastructure upgrades. 

Assistant Chief Ouellette is looking to continue his higher education. He is the proud father of two young boys.

“We are excited to have Nick start in this position, and we look forward to the energy and enthusiasm that he brings to the job,” said Chief Eric Smith. 

“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to be able to lead the men and women of the Gloucester Fire Department in this critical role, one I do not take lightly or for granted,” said Assistant Chief Ouellette. “I look forward to the opportunity to progress the fire department in accordance with our mission statement. We will accomplish this by fostering and investing in our personnel, the backbone of our organization, and we give them the tools and resources they need to perform the essential functions of their job.”