Medford Fire Chief Todd Evans was sworn into his role on Feb. 24, with the inauguration ceremony taking place on Mar. 12. He had served as interim chief for 11 months, following the retirement of Chief John Freedman. The chief was chosen via assessment center examination.
According to the city’s press release, Chief Evans earned the highest score out of two candidates on the assessment center exam. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn had interviewed all five deputy chiefs, including Evans, in March 2024 to choose an interim chief.
“I knew what was going to happen, because I had interviewed the candidates for an [interim] fire chief,” Lungo-Koehn said. “Even though there were two [candidates], I just knew clear as day who was going to top that assessment center. I just knew in my heart.”
Lungo-Koehn said that the Human Resources Department booked the assessment company and notified anyone interested in taking the examination.
This was the first time the Medford Fire Chief was chosen by an assessment center. The assessment centers are used by the Medford Police Department, but were a source of contention among the fire union when Lungo-Koehn announced in September that the city would use them for fire chief and deputy chief promotions.
“I think we get our best leadership through sole assessment centers. They’re up-and-coming. It’s how most cities and towns are transitioning,” Lungo-Koehn said. “I’ve heard great feedback from other mayors. I’ve heard great feedback from other chiefs in the area.”
Danielle Marcellino, president of the Medford Firefighters Local 1032 union, wrote in a statement to the Daily that the assessment centers were “a change from our process, so it is subject to bargaining for Union members. The chief position is not part of our bargaining unit, so we do not have a say in that process; the only requirement is that the testing process is done through Civil Service.”
When Chief Evans was promoted in the interim following the former chief’s retirement, several acting positions had to be filled to accommodate: deputy chief, captain and lieutenant. A discussed change to using assessment centers to select deputy chiefs is still subject to bargaining between the Mayor and union.
“I do believe an assessment [center] has potential to be a fair process provided that it is conducted without bias by a competent assessment board with focus on the occupational components of the job (ie fire ground operations and safety),” Marcellino wrote. “Historically we have favored the Civil Service exam process because it removed potential nepotism/cronyism/favoritism.. you simply study occupational info and take an exam, and the scores dictate the promotions.”
Lungo-Koehn felt that the civil service exam could help demonstrate qualities that are beneficial in a chief.
“I learned very quickly that just because you have the most years of service does not mean you are the most qualified for the position. It doesn’t mean you’re going to do the best for the department and the city,” Lungo-Koehn said.
Evans’ promotion came after an alarming spike in sick leaves by firefighters in February 2024.
Lungo-Koehn highlighted improvements to the fire department’s culture and values since Evans became interim chief.
“I have noticed a change. It’s a slow change, because people need to get used to working hard, showing us that they have integrity, calling out sick when they’re sick, or when a family member is sick,” Lungo-Koehn said. “And changing the culture so that we make sure our employees and our residents are safe.”
The union has said they are willing to work in tandem with Chief Evans.
“No matter who the chief is, the Union will always work with the chief in order to keep our firefighters safe and to best serve our community,” Marcellino wrote.
Marcellino added that in terms of the department’s operations, the union has a positive outlook.
“We hope that any chief would support our firefighters and fight to improve/expand the department,” Marcellino wrote. “We have seen several communities around us in the news recently, expanding their department by adding fire companies, rescue companies or EMS services.”
