Gloucester Fire Department Assistant Chief Nicholas Ouellette earned accreditation as a chief from the Massachusetts Fire Services Commission.
The Massachusetts Fire Services Commission offers accreditation through a uniform process to fire service officers who have demonstrated the required experience, education, and certifications.
“I want to congratulate Assistant Chief Ouellette on this major accomplishment,” Chief Eric Smith said. “He has shown dedication to training, education and preparation throughout his career, and this latest milestone highlights the impressive qualifications that have resulted from his hard work.”
This is latest accomplishment in Ouellette’s 16 years with the Gloucester Fire Department.
“Leadership in the fire service comes with a great deal of responsibility, and working toward this accreditation helped me to ensure that I was focusing on the appropriate and necessary areas to successfully and safely help lead the Gloucester Fire Department,” Ouellette said. “I want to thank Chief Smith and the men and women of the Gloucester Fire Department for their support. None of us do this job as individuals.”
Ouellette joined Gloucester Fire in October 2010 as a firefighter and paramedic after graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
He was was promoted to lieutenant in 2016, captain in 2020, and to assistant fire chief and emergency management director for the city in February following the retirement of Assistant Chief Robert “Bob” Rivas in December. He has also served as the department’s communications officer and written grants to secure upgrades to the department’s communications and infrastructure.
Ouellette has taught at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and is both a Pro Board Certified Officer 3 and Pro Board Certified Officer 2. He is also a former instructor at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He has been a member of the Northeast Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team since 2012.
Before joining Gloucester Fire, Ouellette earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his paramedic certification from Northeastern University in 2008.
Ouellette, the father of two boys, will be required to renew his credentials every three years.
In other news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:
Gloucester
Friday, July 24
4:09 a.m.: An individual was arrested following a motor vehicle stop on Main Street on charges of driving with a suspended license and driving while using an electronic device, first offense.
Thursday, July 23
Disturbances: A summons/warrant was requested following a 1:55 p.m. report on Maplewood Avenue where an individual was charged with assault and battery. Services were provided on Dale Avenue at 6:50 a.m., Granite Street at 5:18 p.m. and on Main Street at 8:40 p.m.
Burglar alarms: Buildings were checked and secured on Youngs Road at 2:15 p.m. and aon Washington Street at 8:06 p.m.
Medical emergencies: Calls on Lepage Lane at 1:13 a.m., Alpine Court at 7:51 a.m., Birch Grove Heights at 8:53 a.m. and Gloucester High School at 7:21 p.m. were referred to the city’s contracted ambulance service. Individuals were transported to a hospital from Blackburn Center at 11:13 a.m., Mallard Way at 12:24 p.m. and from Holly Street at 7:45 p.m.
Disabled motor vehicles: Services were provided near Eastern Avenue and Webster Street at 10:03 a.m., Route 128 north at 4:39 p.m.and on Route 128 south at 6:26 p.m.
Motor vehicle crashed: Services were provided near Eastern Avenue at 9:41 a.m. andnear Washington Street at 2:54 p.m.; no injuries were reported at either scene. At 3:43 p.m. at an Atlantic Street scene, Gloucester Fire extinguished a fire. Services were provided on Hancock Street at 5:14 p.m.when injuries were reported.
4 p.m.: Services were provided on Essex Avenue for a report of trespassing.
11:43 a.m.: Services were provided for a hazmat incident on Hough Avenue.
11:09 a.m.: Services were provided for a report of firearms on Sayward Street.
7:59 a.m.: Services were provided on Kennedy Street for a report of fraud.
7:32 a.m.: Services were provided for a report of graffiti on Main Street.
1:53 a.m.: Peace was restored on Maplewood Avenue following a report of threats.
Rockport
Friday, July 24
3:19 a.m.: A mini beat was conducted on Main Street and Wildon Heights.
Properties were checked throughout town through the morning.
Thursday, July 23
Medical emergencies: Services were refused on Doctor’s Run at 12:35 p.m. Ambulance transports to a hospital were made from Smith Street Court at 5:54 a.m., Granite Street at 5:08 p.m. and from Millbrook Park at 6:44 p.m.
2:36 p.m.: Public Works was notified of a water leak at Broadway and Mount Pleasant Street.
2:25 p.m.: A person seeking assistance was referred to another agency.
11:16 a.m.: Action taken on Mount Pleasant Street for a vehicle that was illegally parked.
10:01 a.m.: Calls were made from the Main Street police station to residents enrolled in the police wellbeing check program.
9:24 a.m.: Another agency was assisted on Forest Street.
Mini beats were conducted on Main Street at 2:32 and 3:04 a.m., Railroad Avenue at 3:12 a.m., Granite Street and Wharf Road at 5:51 a.m., and at Thatcher Road and Tregony Bow at 7:23 a.m.
Properties were checked throughout town through the day.
Wednesday, July 22
Medical emergencies: Individuals were taken by ambulance to a hospital from Seaview Street at 2:50 p.m. and from Dean Road at 6 p.m.
4:55 p.m.: A person on Bradley Wharf was spoken to about reported suspicious activity.
4:06 p.m.: A person on Summit Avenue was spoken to about town by-laws.
Neighbor disputes: Persons were spoken to on Granite Street at 2:28 p.m. and on Bradley Wharf at 2:41 p.m.
12:38 p.m.: The Fire Department provided assistance on Granite Street as requested.
9:49 a.m.: Calls were made from the Main Street police station to residents enrolled in the police wellbeing check program.
9:09 a.m.: Vandalism was reported on School Street.
Properties were checked throughout town through the day.