Watertown Fire Chief Receives Accreditation

The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission officials announced they have granted accreditation to Watertown Fire Chief Mario A. Orangio for demonstrating the required fire service experience, education and certifications for accreditation.

This accreditation, which was given April 20, is granted through the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission, a gubernatorial appointed board that has established a process for uniform credentialing for fire chiefs.

The applicant’s documentation is reviewed by a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission to determine if the individual has attained a minimum level of credits for education, training, and experience.

Orangio said he was pleased that his work has been acknowledged by the commission.

“A lot of hard work went into the development of the Fire Service Commission’s Credentialing Process to ensure that fire chief’s received the credentials after meeting strict requirements," Orangio said in a release. "I’ve worked equally hard gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to be a leader in today’s fire service and I appreciate that this accomplishment recognizes my dedication to be the best fire chief I can be for this community.”

Everett Fire Chief David Butler, who serves as chair of the commission, said the program establishes requirements based on education, training and experience in areas relevant to serving as fire chief.

"It establishes benchmarks for training in fire and emergency service management so that chiefs may be better prepared to serve their department and their community,” Butler said in the release.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said in the release that the program was developed after extensive research outlining those skills important to today’s fire chief. The process provides an equal opportunity for the volunteer, call or full-time fire chief to meet the minimum criteria for achieving fire chief accreditation, he added

Credentialed participants will be required to renew their credentials every three years. At this time the program is open to people currently serving as fire chief of department.