City of Boston
 
 
Fire Department
Contact Us
 
City Departments
     
  Photo of commisioner  
     
Letter from the
Fire Commisioner

Roderick Fraser,
Fire commisioner
 

Welcome to the Boston Fire Department
I am deeply honored to have been appointed the 37th Commisioner of the Boston Fire Department by Mayor Thomas Menino. The Boston Fire Department is the oldest professional Fire Department in our nation and has been serving the people of Boston for over 328 years. Our city and our Department are steeped in tradition. As we take pride in our heritage, we also look to the future to new challenges. I am proud to lead this department in this new century as we strive to improve the services we provide our community. Our role and mission is increasing as we face the possibility of large scale natural disaster as well as the always present threat of terrorism in our city. We are working to keep our department up to date with the newest technology available and to better educate the citizens of Boston in fire prevention through our Community Fire fighting program.

As the city's lead agency on Chemical, Biological and Radiological defense, we will take a stronger leadership role in developing a long range training program for the Department that includes interagency planning and training. Additionally, we will work to improve the diversity of our Fire Department to better reflect the community we serve. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and I encourage you to check out the information listed under the "Community Firefighting" menu option and to use the "Station location" option to locate the Fire Station nearest to you.


Sincerely,

Roderick Fraser
Boston Fire Commisioner


 

Biography of Commisioner Fraser

Commisioner Fraser grew up in East Millinocket, Maine. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and was commisioned in the U.S. Navy in April of 1986. Mr. Fraser spent the next 20 years serving in the U.S Navy in a variety of assignments culminating in Commanding USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36), a guided missile frigate homeported in Mayport, FL.

His first sea duty tour was as the Aft Propulsion Group Officer in USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) from 1987 to May 1989. His second division officer tour was in USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) as First LT and Assistant Chief Engineer from 1989 to 1990. From 1990 to 1993, he served in the Engineering Training Department at Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, RI. While in Newport, he completed a Masters Degree in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island.

commisioner Fraser's first Department Head tour was as Chief Engineer of USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) from 1994 to 1996. He then transferred to USS YORKTOWN (CG 48) where he served as Chief Engineer from 1996 to 1998. After departing the YORKTOWN, he attended the US Naval War College in Newport, RI where he completed a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs and Strategic Planning

After graduating from the War College, commisioner Fraser served as the Executive officer in USS THOMAS S GATES (CG 51) from 1999 to 2000, during which time, THOMAS S GATES made two deployments and served as the Flag Ship for NATO's Standing Naval Forces Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT).

commisioner Fraser served as the director of Damage Control and Firefighting Training at Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, RI (SWOSCOLCOM) from 2000 to 2002, and as the Director of Engineering Training from 2002 to 2004. During this assignment, he was responsible for directing twelve Navy courses of instruction that trained all U.S. Navy Officers from the position of Commanding Officer down to Division Officer in Marine Engineering principals and operations, Damage Control and Shipboard Firefighting. Additionally, he worked to bring new firefighting technologies into the Navy and established a new course to train Navy Combat Systems Department heads in the Maintenance and Quality Control programs and procedures for all Navy Combat Systems equipment.

As the Commanding Officer of USS UNDERWOOD, commisioner Fraser led the ship and crew through a deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was the Scene of Action Commander responsible for protecting the Iraqi offshore oil terminals at Al Basrah and Khor Al Amaya and was also responsible for training the Iraqi Navy in Anti-terrorism, Force Protection, ship handling and Maritime Security procedures that will enable them to protect the oil terminals themselves. commisioner Fraser also led UNDERWOOD as part of the GEORGE WASHINGTON Strike Group during Operation "Partnership of the Americas" during which, he was recognized by Commander George Washington Strike Group for excellence in hosting the President of Honduras and the President's Cabinet along with the US Ambassador for a demonstration of US military capabilities.

commisioner Fraser has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal two gold stars, Navy Achievement Medal one gold star and numerous unit awards and commendations.

commisioner Fraser is married to the former Angela Schietromo of Providence, RI. They have two children, Matthew and Maria.

 

C-gram
The Official Newsletter of the Boston Fire Department
Search:
Announcements
A Community Pledge to "Be Fire Smart" Can Earn the Boston Fire Department $10,000 in Funding from Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual has just launched a contest to see if we are "Fire Smart". Let's show them how Boston shines. Simply take a quick ten question survey and forward to your contacts. www.BeFireSmart.com »
Massachusetts Smoke Alarm Laws Are Changing As of January 2010
More Info »
An Open Letter From Boston Fire Commisioner Roderick Fraser
More Info »
Back to School Safety
Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. It's school time again! Just like teachers, books, and homework go hand in hand with the school year, so should safety.
More Info »
Well Fitness and Health of Firefighters
A message from Commissioner Roderick Fraser and Medical Director Dr. Michael Hamrock.
Commissioner's Letter » PDF
Dr. Hamrock's Letter » PDF
News and Press Releases
Social Media
Related Links
Mass.govExternal Link
Department of Fire Services
U.S Fire AdministrationExternal Link
Working for a Fire Safe America
Get Adobe Reader
Many forms are available in PDF format. To view and print in PDF format, you must download and install the reader.

Get Adobe Reader
 
Text Size: XX-Small Font Size X-Small Font Size Small Font Size

     
Privacy & Security Divider ©2009 The City of Boston