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It’s official. Medford has a new fire chief.
Although he was actually sworn in on Feb. 24, Todd Evans stood in front of a room full of family, friends, city officials, fire officials (current and retired), police officials and residents on March 12 to once again take the oath of office. This time, administered by his wife, Stephanie Evans.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to work and moving the department forward,” Evans said, following the swearing-in ceremony inside the Howard F. Alden Memorial Chambers at City Hall.
Stephanie Evans said she was excited for her husband, calling the year between March 2024 and 2025 while he was the interim chief a challenge.
“It was a lot,” she said. “I’m very proud of him. He’s worked very hard, he puts a lot of effort into everything he does. He’s proven over the last year that he’s perfect for this role.”
Retired Fire Chief Frank Giliberti Jr., who was master of ceremonies Wednesday, remembered when Evans was hired onto the department in 2001.
“He’s made me proud,” Giliberti said. “I see all these young guys who came on when I was chief and all their careers are moving along. There’s a lot of good, smart kids. The city is in good hands.”
Medford residents and officials gathered at City Hall on March 12 for the public swearing-in ceremony of new fire chief Todd Evans. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTOS/NELL ESCOBAR COAKLEY
The ceremony
During an introduction before the ceremony began, Giliberti called the new chief’s role “a continuation of duty for Todd.” He told audience members there are many tough decisions ahead, but he trusted Evans had the right tools to handle anything that came his way.
The event featured a Posting of the Colors by the Medford Fire & Police Honor Guards, with Tim McMaster on the bagpipes. Medford High School student Jennisha Edouard sang the National Anthem followed by the Invocation from the Rev. Paul Coughlin, pastor of St. Raphael’s Church and the Fire Department’s chaplain.
In her remarks, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said it’s been “a long road to get here.”
Lungo-Koehn said last year she sat down with a retired fire chief from Cambridge, who aided her in figuring out the right set of skills needed for the Medford position. After all the interviews and a fire chief assessment center examination process, the mayor said two candidates stood out.
Evans, however, earned the highest score.
“He’s worked hard and shown great integrity,” Lungo-Koehn said. “He will work to make the Fire Department better.”
She added she looked forward to a time when Evans becomes a leader in fire safety across the state.
During his address to the gathered crowd, Evans thanked every single person who had helped him on his journey, not just City Hall workers or fellow firefighters or even his family.
Most of all he thanked his wife.
“She has been my rock,” Evan said. “I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything she’s done to help me reach this point.”
The new chief said he looks forward to working with the department to grow at every level, providing mentorship, training and skills to develop future leaders.
Picking up the City Council’s gavel and hitting it on the desk, Evans grinned and said, “Let’s get to work!”
A Benediction by Rabbi Jessica Dell’Era, of Temple Shalom and rendition of “America the Beautiful” by vocalist Stacie Clayton followed.
The evening closed with the Retiring of the Colors and refreshments.
