Worcester Fire Chief Lavoie Retiring After 34 Years Of Service

Worcester MA

20 August, 2021

4:14 PM

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WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie will retire in January after some 4 years in the role, and 34 years as a Worcester firefighter. Lavoie oversaw important changes inside the department, and two of its worst tragedies: the deaths of firefighters Lt. Jason Menard in 2019 and Christopher Roy in 2018. Lavoie became chief in 2017 after joining the department in 1987, and previously served as a lieutenant, captain, district chief and deputy chief. "I know I'm going to miss it," he said in a Friday news release. "I'm going to miss the job. It has been an honor and it has been extremely humbling to serve as fire chief for the second-largest city in New England." Highlights of Lavoie's tenure include reducing personnel shortages on fire trucks, acquiring new self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters and reducing the age of the department fleet from 14-1/2 years to 8-1/2 years. Lavoie's last day as chief will be Jan. 22, according to a city spokesperson. Worcester announced several other personnel changes on Friday. Assistant City Manager Kathleen G. Johnson announced her retirement effective Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Christopher Spencer will become the city's new Commissioner of Inspectional Services, moving to Worcester from a similar role in Albany, N.Y.