Braintree council unanimously appoints Frederick T. Viola as fire chief

The Braintree Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Mayor Joyce’s appointment of Frederick T. Viola as chief of the Braintree Fire Department.

Mayor Joyce told the council that after a comprehensive interview process, she nominated Viola following his service as acting chief. "Chief Viola has over 33 years of dedicated service with the Braintree Fire Department," the mayor said, noting he had led the department in an interim role, helped rebuild the department's budget and "created a strong team to support those ongoing efforts."

Viola, who began his career in Braintree as a firefighter EMT in 1991, addressed the council briefly after the vote. "I'm committed to operating more safely and efficiently with transparency and keeping pace with technology and changes in the fire service," he said. He thanked the mayor and his colleagues and family for their support.

Councilors who spoke during the appointment praised Viola's leadership during a difficult year as acting chief and highlighted his work on the department budget. Councilor Flaherty called the budget Viola presented "the clearest, most comprehensive, and fiscally responsible budget" she had seen from the department in years. Councilor Maglio and others said the full-department turnout to support Viola spoke to his professionalism and the department's confidence in him.

The formal motion to approve the appointment cited sections 2-10 and 3-3 of the town charter and was moved and seconded on the floor; the council then voted "Aye" with no opposed votes recorded.

Viola received his Chief Fire Officer certification from the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management in January 2025, the mayor said during her remarks. The council recessed briefly after the vote to allow attendees supporting Viola to gather outside for photographs.

The council action makes Frederick T. Viola the official Fire Chief of the Town of Braintree going into FY2026.