City of Newburyport mourns passing of former Fire Chief Steve Cutter

Statement from Mayor Donna D. Holaday:

Chief Steve Cutter began his tenure  on the Newburyport Fire Department in 1979 following a long line of family service in the Department that began with his great-grandfather in 1850.   He was appointed Chief in 2001 and always sought to advance his skills and networks serving in numerous organizations including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, MA State Fire Chiefs, Essex County Fire Chiefs Association and the Seacoast Fire Chiefs.  He was consistently recognized for his leadership as Incident Commander when fires broke out with the often heard statement- there is no else we would want at the helm during critical incidents.  Chief Cutter was also a member of the State Wildland Fire Team where he would join volunteer firefighters from across the nation and on only a 24 hour notice, would travel to major firestorms to aid in the firefighting.  Chief Cutter retired in 2013 but continued his efforts in supporting fire departments locally in West Newbury and in Maine.   Chief Cutter devoted over 40 years to his passion for the profession of firefighting and I am honored to have served as Mayor during a portion of his accomplished career.  On behalf of the City, I extend my sincerest appreciation to Chief Cutter for the 34 years he gave to Newburyport and send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Paula, their children and extended family on the loss of a great man.