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Chelsea City Council swears in four firefighters, promotes three officers
Summary
Chelsea City Council administered oaths to four new firefighters and promoted three company officers to fill vacancies and expand leadership amid a rise in structure fires, the chief said.
The Chelsea City Council, during a council meeting, administered oaths to four new firefighters and promoted three company officers to the Chelsea Fire Department.
The moves fill vacancies created by recent retirements and come after a year the chief described as "difficult," with a noticeable increase in structure fires and emergency responses. "Tonight, we're swearing in four new firefighters to our department, and we're promoting three new company officers," Chief (Chelsea Fire Department) said.
The council did not record a roll-call vote on the appointments; the clerk administered the oaths and there were "no objections" when the council took the item up. The sworn and promoted personnel and the assignments named at the ceremony were:
- Firefighter Ivan Sota Hai — assigned to Fire Suppression Division, Group 3. Sota Hai graduated from Chelsea High and has served in the Army National Guard for more than four years, with deployments to Jordan, Syria and Kuwait. He will join his brother, Devani, who is on the department.
- Firefighter Ryan Motta — assigned to Fire Suppression Division, Group 2. Motta graduated from Chelsea High and holds an associate degree in business from Bunker Hill Community College; he has served in the Army National Guard for more than 11 years, including deployment to Iraq.
- Firefighter Kevin Rosado — assigned to Fire Suppression Division, Group 4. Rosado graduated from Chelsea High and holds an associate degree in athletic training and a bachelor’s degree in sports movement.
- Firefighter Mike Poulin — assigned to Fire Suppression Division, Group 1. Poulin previously worked in the 9-1-1 communications center in 2021, served with the Reading Fire Department from 2022 until January of this year, and is a nationally registered and certified paramedic.
The department also promoted three company officers and administered oaths to each:
- Lieutenant Sean Byron — assigned to Engine Company 2, Group 4; Byron is a nationally registered paramedic, hazardous materials technician and technical rescue specialist.
- Captain Dan DiGioia — assigned to Ladder Company 2, Group 4; the chief said DiGioia holds a master’s degree in public administration (fire and emergency services specialization) from Anna Maria College and has certifications including EMT and fire instructor. The chief noted DiGioia is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Deputy Chief Richie Carracino — serves as unit commander in the fire prevention division; Carracino joined the department in 1994 and the chief noted he received the Massachusetts Firefighter’s Medal of Honor for actions during a 2002 two-alarm fire where he helped rescue two residents.
The chief said the four new hires completed a 10-week recruit training program at the Massachusetts Fire Academy followed by an additional week of training with the department’s training division. Family members participated in a pinning ceremony for each new firefighter and promoted officer; the city clerk administered the oaths.
A councilor (name not specified) closed the ceremony by thanking firefighters and their families "for your service, your commitment, but most of all for the love that you do your work with each and every day," and the meeting paused for photographs.
No additional actions, funding changes or policy decisions were recorded during this agenda item.
