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Date: 8/1/2023
NORTHAMPTON — In a post on July 25, the mayor’s office announced that Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra appointed Andrew Pelis as the next fire chief for the city.
Pelis, who currently serves as the assistant fire/rescue chief, is taking the place of current Fire Chief Jon Davine, who was recently selected as the state’s fire marshal. Davine begins that job at the end of the month.
“I’ve served my entire career as a firefighter in the city of Northampton, and I’m honored to have been chosen to lead this dedicated and capable team of public servants,” Pelis said.
The newest chief began his career as a Northampton firefighter in 1998. Over the years, he was a training officer, fire prevention officer, hazmat technician, shift captain, deputy chief and assistant chief.
He received bachelor’s degrees in Natural Resources from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1995 and Fire Science from Anna Maria College in 2007.
“I am thrilled that Andrew Pelis will be taking the reins as Northampton’s next fire/rescue chief, pending the City Council’s confirmation,” said Sciarra. “As assistant chief, Andy received thorough leadership training as part of sound succession planning. I am confident he will bring continuity and exceptional competence to our Fire/Rescue Department. “I look forward to working with Andy in his new role as the head of Northampton Fire/Rescue’s leadership team.”
The city announced Davine’s new state position on July 18. Davine joined the department in 1998 and became chief in March 2020. He spent the last two-plus decades inside the Northampton Fire/Rescue Department serving as a captain, deputy chief and assistant fire chief before officially becoming the city’s chief. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1993.
“It sounds kind of cliché, but I’m realizing leaving is going to be harder than I thought it would be,” Davine said, in an interview with Reminder Publishing at his office. “My best friends are here and not just in this department, but I’ve got great friends all over the city in a bunch of different departments.”
Davine spoke about bringing more of a voice to Western Mass. in his new position.
“I want to make sure that everybody, all the departments are representative from your biggest Boston department down to your Hadleys and your Adams and Cheshire departments,” Davine said. “I want everybody to feel like they are a part of the fire service and the commonwealth, and they have the same benefits as everybody else.”
Sciarra will submit her appointment of Pelis to the City Council during their Aug. 17 meeting.