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.