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NEW BEDFORD — Deputy Fire Chief Brian J. Medeiros will become the new chief of the New Bedford Fire Department when Chief Scott Kruger retires on July 5, ending a role he has taken on for more than 34 years.
“Chief Medeiros has a long record of effective service to the residents of New Bedford,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a press release. “His leadership skills, experience, and commitment to data-driven decision-making will enable him to lead the department in the years ahead.”
Medeiros began his career as a firefighter in New Bedford in 1996 before being promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2008, according to the press release. He was promoted to captain in 2012, then district chief in 2020, before rising to deputy chief in 2022.
Medeiros earned an associates degree in firefighting technology from Bristol Community College and has also acquired Pro Board certification in Fire Instructor, Fire Officer I and II, Incident Officer, and Hazardous Material Safety Officer. He also recently completed training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Program.
He served on the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team from 2014 to 2022 and was deployed to North Carolina by the team in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in 2018. Since 2019, he has served on the Massachusetts Hazardous Materials Response Team and is an active member of the Bristol County Fire Chief’s Association and Fire Chief’s Association of Massachusetts. Medeiros also worked as an instructor at the Fire and Rescue Training Academy in Barnstable.
“I am honored to accept the appointment as Fire Chief,” Medeiros said in the press release. “I see this role as not just a position, but a commitment to service, leadership and the safety of every member of this department and our residents.”
The nomination now heads to the City Council for approval.
Kevin G. Andrade can be reached at kandrade@newbedfordlight.org