GLOUCESTER — Gloucester Fire Department Assistant Chief Nicholas Ouellette earned accreditation as a chief from the Massachusetts Fire Services Commission.
The accomplishment adds to an exemplary 16-year career with the department.
The Massachusetts Fire Services Commission offers accreditation to fire service officers who have demonstrated the required experience, education, and certifications.
The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission is a gubernatorial-appointed board that has established a process for uniform credentialing for the level of fire chief.
Belchertown Fire Chief John S. Ingram, who serves as chair of the commission, says, “The program establishes requirements based on education, training, and experience in areas relevant to serving as fire chief. It establishes benchmarks for training in fire and emergency service management so that chiefs may be better prepared to serve their department and their community.”
The applicant’s documentation is reviewed by a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission to determine if the individual has attained a minimum level of credits for education, training, and experience.
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. He has been a member of the Northeast Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team since 2012.
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.
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said, “This program allows chief officers to document their efforts to develop and maintain the skills to be an effective leader and manager in today’s fire service. The process provides an equal opportunity for the volunteer, call, or full-time fire service leader to meet the minimum criteria for achieving fire chief accreditation.”
“Leadership in the fire service comes with a great deal of responsibility, and working toward this accreditation helped me to ensure that I was focusing on the appropriate and necessary areas to successfully and safely help lead the Gloucester Fire Department,” said Assistant Chief Ouellette. “I want to thank Chief Smith and the men and women of the Gloucester Fire Department for their support. None of us do this job as individuals.”
Accredited participants will be required to renew their credentials every three years. The program is open to all members of the fire service in the Commonwealth serving as department chief. Additionally, any person holding the rank of Lieutenant or above in that department is also eligible to apply for credentialing. Participation in this program is voluntary and all eligible personnel are encouraged to participate.
“I want to congratulate Assistant Chief Ouellette on this major accomplishment,” said Chief Eric Smith. “He has shown dedication to training, education and preparation throughout his career, and this latest milestone highlights the impressive qualifications that have resulted from his hard work.”
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