Cambridge, MA, August 18, 2022 – Cambridge Acting City Manager Owen O’Riordan has appointed Assistant Fire Chief Thomas F. Cahill Jr. as Acting Fire Chief of the Cambridge Fire Department, effective August 17, 2022. Cahill takes over for Acting Fire Chief Gerard Mahoney, who retired after 39 years of service with the Cambridge Fire Department.
“Cambridge Fire is a nationally recognized ISO Class 1 Department, and Thomas Cahill Jr. is highly qualified and prepared to lead the Department,” said Acting City Manager O’Riordan. “As a longtime resident of Cambridge, Tom has spent his entire career with the Cambridge Fire Department. He has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the safety of our community and his ability to lead the Cambridge Fire Department. I am proud to appoint Tom as the Acting Fire Chief.”
Cahill joined the Cambridge Fire Department as a firefighter in 1995 after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. He served as a firefighter and fire lieutenant in fire suppression until promoted to Captain, where he served in the Fire Prevention/Fire Investigation Unit. Cahill is the first and only nationally certified fire investigator in the department. As Chief of Operations, he was responsible for management and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the 278 member department. Cahill holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Public Administration from Framingham State University.
“I want to congratulate Acting Fire Chief Cahill on his appointment. His dedication to public safety in our community makes him an excellent choice to fill this critical role during this transition,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.
To create a formal and transparent appointment process, Acting City Manager O’Riordan organized a screening committee comprised of the Acting City Manager, Incoming City Manager, City Personnel Director, Police Commissioner, and Executive Director of Metro Fire to conduct interviews. The Committee developed a set of standard interview questions covering experience and preparation, leadership style, vision and goals, collaboration and outreach, people management and judgment, labor relations, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The screening committee selected Cahill from among nine internal candidates interviewed. The City Manager is the appointing authority for the Fire Chief.
Cahill said, “My entire career has been dedicated to public service. As a longtime resident of Cambridge, I love working in this city, and I am proud to work with the incredibly dedicated and talented members of the Cambridge Fire Department. I am honored to have been selected as Acting Chief and look forward to the challenges and opportunities I will face to keep the Cambridge Fire Department at the forefront of our profession.”
