Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

April 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MAYOR PROMOTES BORDEN TO FIRE CHIEF, MAKES TWO OTHER PROMOTIONS IN FIRE DEPARTMENT

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini today appointed Richard B. Borden as Chief of the City of Haverhill Fire Department.  Mr. Borden has been serving as acting chief for two and half years.

Mayor Fiorentini also promoted Robert Irvine to the position of Lieutenant in the Haverhill Fire Department.  He also promoted Lt. Paul Weinburgh to the position of Temporary Captain.  All three men were the top finishers on the civil service examination for their respective positions. 

“Today I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Richard Borden from Acting Fire Chief to Fire Chief for the city of Haverhill,” announced Mayor Fiorentini.  “Mr. Borden was unanimously recommended by the retired fire chiefs on our Fire Department Selection Committee.  He was twice the top finisher on the civil service examination for fire chief.  He has been the acting chief of two and a half years and during that period he has done the job, and done it well.” added Mayor Fiorentini.

“I look forward with confidence to continuing to work with Chief Borden to improve fire safety in the city.  He is completely dedicated to our fire department, and his promotion adds needed stability to our department. 

Chief Borden stated:  “I am looking forward to serving the citizens of Haverhill and the fire department to make our excellent fire department even better.”

“These promotions bring us back to the number of captains and lieutenants we have in our complement,” noted Mayor Fiorentini.  “We are hopeful that these promotions will lead to a new day in the fire department and help to promote harmony within the department.”

“We were grateful to have two excellent candidates for Fire Chief.  Our interview committee felt unanimously that both of them would be excellent chiefs but unanimously recommended that I go with the top finisher on the test,” stated the Mayor.

Borden has served as Haverhill’s Acting Fire Chief since 2005.  He was first appointed to the Haverhill Fire Department in 1983, becoming a company officer as a Lieutenant in 1987.  He rose to the rank of Deputy Chief in 1994 and served as Training Officer.  In 1999, Borden was assigned to the On-duty Deputy Chief position.

Chief Borden has studied at the Massachusetts Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy.  He is also working on an Associates Degree in Fire Science from North Shore Community College, along with other training.

Borden follows in the footsteps of his father, Richard H. Borden who was Fire Chief in Haverhill from 1986 to 1999.

The Mayor thanked the members of the Fire Chief Selection Committee, former Haverhill Fire Chief John Hamel and former Lawrence Fire Chief Joseph Marquis.

“This Selection Committee dedicated many hours to the process and I thank them for their work elaborated Mayor Fiorentini.  “I look forward to working with Chief Borden to protect the residents of this City.”

Chief Borden’s appointment took effect immediately.  His swearing-in ceremony will be next Tuesday, May 6.