Tewksbury Fire Chief Joe Kearns Announces Retirement After More Than 34 Years of Service

Fire Chief, Chief Joe Kearns has announced his retirement from the Tewksbury Fire Department.

TEWKSBURY, MA — After more than 34 years of service to the Town of Tewksbury and nearly six years as Fire Chief, Chief Joe Kearns has announced his retirement from the Tewksbury Fire Department.

Chief Kearns’ final day with the department will be October 16, 2026, marking the end of a career that began more than three decades ago and became a defining part of his life.

For Chief Kearns, retirement represents far more than the end of a job. It marks the closing of a chapter that has included countless emergency calls, long shifts, difficult decisions, friendships, mentorship, leadership, and a lifetime of service to the community he has called home professionally for more than three decades.

Throughout his career, Kearns served the residents of Tewksbury in numerous capacities, responding to emergencies, working alongside generations of firefighters, mentoring younger members, and ultimately taking on the responsibility of leading the department.

In January 2021, Kearns was appointed Fire Chief.

During his nearly six years as Chief, Kearns worked to strengthen the department’s emergency response capabilities, address staffing needs, improve equipment and apparatus, expand emergency medical services, advance training and technology, and prepare the department for the future. Among the initiatives particularly important to Chief Kearns has been the continued effort to strengthen Tewksbury’s emergency medical response system, including the expansion of the department’s second ambulance. He also worked extensively on staffing, firefighter protective equipment, apparatus replacement, professional development, recruitment, and the promotion and development of the next generation of department leaders.

Kearns’ public safety career also extended beyond the fire station. In 2025, he served for four months as Interim Director of the Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center (NMRECC). That experience gave him an even greater appreciation for the people on the other end of the radio and telephone calls—the dispatchers who work behind the scenes every day to get firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel where they are needed.

But when asked about his career, Kearns said the accomplishments, projects, and changes are not what he will remember most.

He will remember the people.

“When you spend more than 34 years in an organization, it becomes much more than a job. It becomes a part of who you are.”

“I have had the privilege of working with so many incredible people during my career. Some I had the opportunity to learn from, some I had the opportunity to lead, and some I had the privilege of calling friends. Many of those relationships will last long after I leave the firehouse.”

Kearns said one of the greatest honors of serving as Chief was having the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Tewksbury Fire Department.

“There is no greater responsibility than asking people to put themselves in harm’s way to protect someone else. I have watched our members respond to some of the worst days in people’s lives, often running toward situations that everyone else is trying to get away from.”

“I have seen our firefighters show compassion when people needed it most, courage when situations became dangerous, and professionalism every single day. I could not be more proud of the men and women of the Tewksbury Fire Department.”

Kearns also reflected on the personal sacrifices that come with a career in the fire service. “This career has meant missed holidays, birthdays, family events, and countless nights away from home. My family made sacrifices along with me, and I will never be able to thank them enough for their support and understanding over the years.”

“They understood that when a call came in, I had a responsibility to be there for someone who needed us. That was something we all shared as a family.”

As Chief, Kearns said he is particularly proud of the department’s future.

Over the past several years, numerous members have been promoted into leadership positions, new firefighters and EMTs have joined the department, and younger members have stepped forward to take on greater responsibility.

“One of the things that gives me the most comfort about retiring is knowing that I am leaving this department in the hands of good people. The future of the Tewksbury Fire Department is bright because of the people who are willing to step up and lead it.”

Kearns expressed his appreciation to the residents of Tewksbury for allowing him to serve their community for more than three decades.

“The residents of Tewksbury allowed me to do something that very few people get the opportunity to do to serve the community I worked in and to eventually lead the department I had spent my entire career being a part of.”

“I will always be grateful for the trust that was placed in me.”

He also thanked the Town of Tewksbury, past and present Town Managers and Select Board members, fellow department heads, NMRECC personnel, neighboring fire departments, mutual-aid partners, and the countless people who supported the department throughout his career.

But his final thanks were reserved for the members of the Tewksbury Fire Department.

“To the members of the Tewksbury Fire Department, past and present: thank you. Thank you for the friendships, the laughs, the difficult calls, the long shifts, the memories, and for always having each other’s backs.”

“It has been the honor of my professional life to be your Chief.”

After more than 34 years of wearing the Tewksbury Fire Department uniform, Kearns said walking away will not be easy.

“I don’t think you can spend 34 years doing this job and simply walk away without leaving a piece of yourself behind. This fire department has been such a large part of my life, and I know I am going to miss it.”

“I’m going to miss walking through the doors, hearing the tones, sitting around the kitchen table, and most of all, I’m going to miss the people. But I leave incredibly proud of what WE have accomplished together and grateful for every opportunity this career has given me.”

Kearns will begin his retirement on October 17, 2026, after more than three decades of service to the Tewksbury community.

As he looks toward retirement, Kearns said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and beginning the next chapter of his life.

“Every firefighter eventually has to answer the question of when it is time to hang up the helmet. For me, that time has come. I’m ready, but that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.”

“I will always be proud to say that I was a firefighter in Tewksbury. I will always be proud that I had the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief. And no matter where life takes me from here, a part of me will always belong to the Tewksbury Fire Department.”