Trenteseaux sworn in as city’s new fire chief

PAWTUCKET – John Trenteseaux knew something was up when Mayor Donald Grebien called him into a meeting inside his City Hall office the late afternoon of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 28.

“The mayor and our Public Safety Director, Tina Goncalves, were there; I was just hoping I was called in for the reason I thought,” he said. “That’s when the mayor offered me the job as the next Pawtucket fire chief. I have to say I was shocked. I can also say I kind of bounced out of there, I was so excited.”

Mayor Grebien made it official at Trenteseaux’s swearing-in ceremony at the Goff Middle School auditorium exactly a month to the day he found out the good news. After the event, family, friends, numerous dignitaries and most of his firefighters watched as his wife of 12 years, Lori, pinned on his new badge.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Pawtucket Fire Department, which I consider to be the greatest fire department anywhere,” he told his audience.

He also wasted no time in informing all of exactly what he hopes to accomplish as the city’s 20th fire chief.

“My vision is to bring this department to the next level of firefighting,” he said. “There are two things that I live by – you want to

leave your job better than you found it, and you can train enough for a job that can kill you. Those are some of the reasons why I plan on increasing our regular trainings as well as bringing in newer, more advanced trainings.

“There are so many new challenges facing the fire service today that just didn’t exist years ago – electric car fires, terrorism and diseases like COVID; the list goes on and on,” he added. “The mayor and the safety director have embraced these new challenges and have committed to giving us the tools we need to face these challenges successfully.”

Dignitaries included the mayor; Goncalves; City Council President Terry Mercer, President Pro Temp Michael Araujo and councilors Mark Wildenhain, Roberto Moreno and Marlena Martins Stachowiak; Pawtucket Firefighters Union 1261 President Erik Cordeiro; and Fr. Joshua Barrow, to name just some.

Also on stage were Trenteseaux’s three children, Brad, 28; Tina, 27; and Jake, 25. He sat next to his wife.

The ceremony began with R.I. Professional Fire Fighter Pipes & Drums Corps’ bagpiper Steven Small leading a processional including the fire department’s honor guard and dozens of firefighters. After emcee Lt. Jeff Johnson, Jr. greeted the crowd and led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, Grebien took to the podium.

“John has been a firefighter for nearly 40 years and has been with the Pawtucket Fire Department for just about 30 of them; he has served on the department in various roles and has done so honorably, professionally and with respect to all,” he said. “Throughout the process of recruiting and hiring a fire chief, we looked at specific qualifications that would be invaluable, and he had them all.

“We expected someone who was a natural-born leader, someone who had confidence in themselves, a strong communicator and someone who others could rely on,” he continued. “I truly feel Chief Trenteseaux epitomizes those things, and there is no better fit for this fire department.

“I’m thrilled to see what this department becomes under the leadership of the new chief and Union President Cordeiro, see what we’ll all be able to do together to move this department forward.”

Goncalves called it an honor to take part in what she called a celebration, but also explained Trenteseaux would have his work cut out for him.

“I can attest to the fact that being a chief is not an easy job; it’s not a task we take lightly,” she said. “There are a lot of sacrifices John will have to make for the citizens of Pawtucket, as well as for the success of the Pawtucket Fire Department, but John strikes me as an individual who will give 110 percent to the job, just as he’s done in the past, which will make him an outstanding chief in the future.

“From the moment we posted the job, John has risen to the occasion. He put together a one-year plan for the department, as well as a five-year plan. Unfortunately for him, we’re going to hold him to it. John shows great initiative and foresight, is professional and it goes without saying, he’s given us some creative thinking when you read that five-year plan.

“I see before us a fire chief who will wear the uniform proudly, represent the city of Pawtucket in a positive light. He demonstrates positive leadership skills that will lead to his ultimate success in the position of chief; he will also lead by example and develop the department, and also the new candidates.”

Trenteseaux, now 57, moved to north Seekonk when he was 12, and discovered shortly thereafter his love for firefighting. He graduated from Seekonk High in 1983, and it didn’t take long for him to become a member of the town’s call fire department, courtesy of a friendly neighbor and SFD employee.

He spent 11 years there, then started with the Pawtucket Fire Department on June 1, 1994. He worked on fire alarm for a year, then moved onto a rescue unit for five years before working on Engine 3 on Columbus Avenue until 2007. He was promoted to lieutenant later that year, then again to captain in 2016. He’s also spent the last three years as the Third Battalion’s chief.

“From the beginning, the mayor and I shared the same vision for a new chief – the new chief should be decisive in a way they would stand firm with their beliefs and not waver under pressure,” Cordeiro said. “The new chief would be honorable, honorable in a way that the membership would be proud to be led by such a person of distinction.

“And, lastly, the new chief would be steadfast and determined to bring this great department into the 21st Century of firefighting. With the hazards and situations we face on a daily basis rapidly evolving, so too should the thought processes of the new chief, and likewise the command readiness of the fire department. I do believe Chief Trenteseaux checks all the boxes.

“To me, and maybe to the mayor as well, it’s a rare occasion – some may say nonexistent – when the union president and the administration can mutually agree on a candidate for chief, but I’m pleased to say we accomplished just that.”