Prior to 1923 chiefs of department in Saugus were elected by members of the three hose companies located in town. A single permanent Chief of the entire department began in 1923 with the appointment of Chief Mellen R Joy.
In the modern era there have been eight permanent Chiefs of the Saugus Fire Department and one acting chief.
1. |
Chief Mellen Joy * |
1923-1936 |
2. |
Chief William Salsman |
1936-1942 |
3. |
Chief George Drew |
1942-1956 |
4. |
Chief Joesph Maguire |
1952-1964 |
5. |
Chief Thomas Nolan |
1964-1981 |
6. |
Acting Chief Walter Waldrip |
1981-1983 |
7. |
Chief George W Parrott III |
1983-1991 |
8. |
Acting Chief Walter Waldrip |
1991-1992 |
9. |
Chief Walter Newbury |
1992-2004 |
10. |
Chief James L Blanchard |
2005 |
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Chief Mellen R Joy was killed in the line of duty in an explosion and fire on the exact spot of the current day public safety building. Chief Joy had been a Captain on the Boston Fire Department and left that position to become the chief of the Saugus fire Department, Two other firefighters were critically burned but recovered from their injuries. |
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Saugus has a civil service chief appointed by virtue of a written exam and and interview process. Captain Walter Waldrip who was the acting chief on two occasions choose not to take the chief of department examination. |
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