Stephen H. Bradbury III Appointed Newburyport Fire Chief

Mayor Sean Reardon is pleased to announce the appointment of Acting Fire Chief Stephen H. Bradbury III as Fire Chief, effective June 1.

Acting Chief Bradbury, a lifelong Newburyport resident, joined the Fire Department in 1993 as a call firefighter, and became a full-time firefighter in 1996. He was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director in September 2000, where he was responsible for day-to-day departmental operations, served as the Department’s lead fire inspector, and served as incident commander at numerous critical incidents. He has served as Acting Fire Chief since July 2022.

Acting Chief Bradbury holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology from North Shore Community College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Salem State College.

Acting Chief Bradbury also is active in many Newburyport programs and charitable activities. He co-chaired the Kids for Santa program, served as treasurer of the Veteran Fireman Association, chaired the Local 0827 Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising program, served on the board of the Firemen’s Sick Benefit Association, as well as on the Restore Our Stadium committee and the building committee for the World War Memorial Stadium.

City ordinance required creation of a Fire Chief Screening Committee to vet candidates. That Committee was chaired by former Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins, and included City Councilors James McCauley and Connie Preston, City Human Resources Director Donna Drelick, Marshal Mark Murray, Fire Lt. Kevin Parseghian, Retired Police Officer Nora Duggan, Harbormaster Paul Hogg, and Topsfield Fire Chief Jen Collins-Brown.

The Committee reviewed all applicants, and following interviews with multiple candidates selected five to participate in an assessment center facilitated by consultant BadgeQuest, Inc. of Plymouth. One candidate withdrew.

On April 27, the four remaining participants took part in five exercises that tested the candidates’ fire management, leadership, employee management, and decision-making skills.

Following the assessment center, the screening committee made the decision to forward the names of all four remaining candidates to Mayor Reardon for final interviews.

“Acting Chief Bradbury is a respected, demonstrated leader, and has devoted his life to fire safety and the community he loves,” Mayor Reardon said. “Acting Chief Bradbury has stepped up during the last nine months, and has shown that he is comfortable with the budget and personnel management that the position requires, alongside other functions. We are lucky to have a very skilled Department with years of experience and many highly qualified officers. I believe Acting Chief Bradbury is the best fit to manage and guide the Department for years to come.”

The City Council is expected to vote upon the nomination of Acting Chief Bradbury, effective June 1, at its May 29 meeting.

“It has been a privilege to serve alongside the men and women of the Newburyport Fire Department for the past 30 years,” Acting Chief Bradbury said. “I consider it an honor to represent the Department and City, and look forward to ensuring that we provide the highest level of service to our community every day.”

A swearing-in ceremony will be announced at a later date.