Amesbury Fire Department Update

 Mayor Gove said that “I want to thank Interim Chief Nolan and Bill Shute for stepping up at this critical time,” Gove said in a statement. “Chief Nolan has demonstrated an incredible commitment to our city and Bill has tremendous experience to offer. Together, I am confident they will provide solid leadership for our staff, and I look forward to working with them.’

Shute will oversee day-to-day operations, including but not limited to budgeting, personnel and general administration, according to the city.

Nolan started with the Fire Department in 1995 as a part-time, call-in firefighter. He became a full-time firefighter/EMT in 1997, then held the role of acting lieutenant from 2012-13. In June 2014, he was promoted to lieutenant, and in July 2015 was promoted again to acting deputy chief. In 2019, Nolan was promoted to deputy fire chief and fire prevention officer.

In a written statement, Nolan said his goal was to continue providing a “high level of service excellence that the members of the Amesbury Fire Department provide to the citizens and visitors of Amesbury every day. “

“These are very difficult times in the post-COVID world that we live in, and together with Bill, the members of the Fire Department and I will continue to face these challenges head on,” Nolan said in the statement. “ I will work with the mayor and the City Council to keep the Fire Department in a forward motion during this transition. I would also like to thank Chief Berkenbush for his service to the Amesbury Fire Department.”