Boston Fire Department Promotes First Female District Chief and First Black Chief of Operations

Uncategorized 2026-07-22 clip6122 · Meeting of July 22, 2026

Boston Fire Department promotes across all ranks, including two historic firsts. At a ceremony held at Florian Hall on November 21, 2019, Commissioner Joseph Finn promoted 10 Boston firefighters spanning every rank from lieutenant to chief of operations — the first time the department had filled two chief of operations vacancies simultaneously since those positions were created in 2001. Deputy Chief Andre Stallworth, promoted to Chief of Operations of Support Services, became the first African-American chief of operations in department history; Captain Deanna McDevitt became the first female district fire chief.

Deputy Chief Robert Calabrese was elevated to Chief of Operations of Field Services after 33 years with the department. Mayor Martin Walsh cited over $100 million in capital investments to the department since 2014 and paid tribute to Worcester Fire Lieutenant Jason Minard, killed in the line of duty the prior week. Local 718 President Bobby Petitti defended the merit exam system, calling it "the fairest one there is" and noting "there are no guarantees."

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Source: the Uncategorized 2026-07-22 clip6122 meeting of July 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.