ATHOL — Joseph P. Guarnera of Chelmsford will begin serving as the next fire chief in Athol on Oct. 8.
Guarnera, who will relocate to the Athol area within a year, was the unanimous single candidate recommended to Town Manager Shaun A. Suhoski, who announced the appointment. Guarnera was recommended by the town’s five-member search committee, following a review of 24 applications, candidate credentials and five in-person interviews.
Since 2016, Guarnera has served as part-time assistant chief of operations in the Berlin Fire Department, following more than 20 years of service as a firefighter/EMT with the City of Revere. Berlin is a Worcester County town that spans 13.18 square miles with with a population of 3,217. Athol has a population of roughly 11,619 citizens and stretches across 33.07 square miles.
Guarnera is also a familiar face to firefighters throughout the state because of his instructional work at the state Firefighting Academy and National Fire Academy.
He holds degrees in criminal justice, fire protection and technology, and a master’s degree in educational instruction from UMass-Boston.
“The town was extremely fortunate to receive applications from a pool of very talented professionals,” said Suhoski, noting that Guarnera’s subject matter expertise in hazardous materials response at both the state and federal level are a key attribute for a community bisected by a heavy freight rail line that tracks along the Millers River.
“Most importantly, I was very impressed by his superior communication skills and strong leadership attributes — qualities that our firefighters requested in their next leader,” he said.
Guarnera will replace Chief John Duguay, who retired from the post on Sept. 1 after more than 33 years of service to the community. Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Parker is in command of the 18-member force during the interim.