Longtime firefighter and Reading native Rick Nelson promoted after competitive selection process and unanimous Select Board vote
Reading, MA — The Town of Reading and its manager, Matt Kraunelis, are pleased to announce the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Rick Nelson to the position of Fire Chief following a unanimous confirmation vote of the Reading Select Board, and a competitive search that included several highly qualified candidates and utilized a comprehensive assessment center process.
“Reading has a history of excellence in public safety,” said Town Manager Matt Kraunelis. “I am confident that this tradition will continue under Rick’s capable leadership, and I look forward to seeing him shine in this role. I extend my congratulations to him on this exciting career milestone.”
Nelson, who grew up in Reading, is a long-tenured member of the Reading Fire Department, having joined the staff as a firefighter/EMT in 1997 and been promoted to the assistant fire chief in 2024. In between, he served in a number of other roles with progressive levels of responsibility, including the technical rescue team coordinator, lieutenant, and captain with fire prevention and shift commander responsibilities. He holds multiple Pro-Board Certifications from the Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC), the sole certifying agency for the certification and training of all levels of fire service personnel within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nelson has taken a role in educating the next generation of firefighters as well; he’s served in the Massachusetts Fire Academy as an instructor from 2002-2007 and more recently again since 2023. As part of his commitment to perfecting his craft, Nelson is the Assistant Team Director of the Northeast Massachusetts Technical Response Team, a specialized organization that supports complex rescue operations across the region, handling incidents that require advanced technical skills.
“I am humbled and honored with the trust that has been bestowed upon me with this appointment and vote,” said Chief Rick Nelson. “After 28 years with the Reading Fire Department, I’ve come to deeply respect the skill, dedication, and heart of the firefighters who serve this community. It’s an honor to now lead this exceptional team as we continue protecting and serving the residents of Reading together.”
Chief Nelson’s appointment comes following the retirement announcement of Chief Greg Burns, who served as Reading’s Fire Chief for almost 25 years, and was with the department for nearly 15 years before that. Chief Burn officially ends his tenure in Reading at the end of May.
