Congratulations to Fire Chief Anita Arnum! A swearing in ceremony was held Monday, October 23 at the Public Safety Facility. Chief Arnum’s appointment took effect on October 13, 2023, making her the tenth chief in the department’s history and the first woman to lead the department. Chief Arnum was sworn in by Town Clerk Eva Szkaradek, and pinned by Martha Arnum (Chief Arnum’s Mother). Town Manager John Mangiaratti, Select Board Members David Martin and Alissa Nicol, current and past members of the Acton Fire Department, Police Department employees, and staff from other departments attended the ceremony.
Arnum began her career with the Acton Fire Department as a full-time firefighter in 1989. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in January 2012 and named Captain in March 2017. She was named Deputy Chief and Town Emergency Management Director in November 2020.
Arnum has a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and Chemistry from UMass Amherst, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College. She is also a graduate of the Grants Management Certificate Program from Management Concepts, and a graduate of the Chief Fire Officer Training Program at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.
Arnum is a state and nationally registered paramedic, a member of the State Hazmat Response Team, and a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Search and Rescue System. She is also certified in numerous technical rescue fields, and is qualified as an instructor/trainer in EMS, hazmat, firefighting, and technical rescue.
She is known for fostering positive relationships between town departments and the community, and constantly seeks out opportunities for the Department to train, grow, and work with other communities to stay at the forefront of technology.
Republished from the Town of Acton Facebook page.
