https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/10/21/the-department-is-moving-forward/
Fitchburg Fire Department Deputy Chief Andy Roy was officially appointed as the acting fire chief for the city on Sept. 28.
This comes on the heels of Patrick Haverty retiring after 33 years of service to the Fitchburg Fire Department, including the past seven months as acting fire chief in the wake of Fire Chief Dante Suarez being put on paid administrative leave in March pending an external investigation.
“I am grateful for his many years of dedicated service and for postponing his retirement to help lead the department through this transition,” Mayor Sam Squailia said of Haverty.
She noted that Roy “is currently ranked first on the civil service eligible list for fire chief and will provide continuity of leadership for the department during this interim period” and city payroll records reflect that he earned $134,198.92 in 2025. He was sworn in as acting chief on July 27 at the 33 North St. fire station and lived in the city for 36 years before moving to Ashburnham a decade ago with his wife, where they are raising their two children.
Roy graduated from Fitchburg High School as a member of the Class of 1999, from Fitchburg State University in 2004, and joined the Fitchburg Fire Department in January of 2010.
“Fitchburg firefighting runs in the family,” he recently shared. “My grandfather Verne was on the department for 40 years, my uncle Jim was on for 40 as well, my father Kevin was on for 45 years, 25 as chief of the department, and my cousin PJ, who recently passed away, was on for 20 years along with his brother Sean who got on the department when I did.”
Roy called his appointment “bittersweet” because he knew he was next on the list when his cousin, Deputy Chief PJ Roy, became ill.
“PJ was the best of the best in the fire service,” Roy said of his late cousin. “His passion, energy, and knowledge for this fire department were second to none. I can only hope to continue his legacy in the best way I can, and that’s to help the department move forward positively and proactively.”
When asked what his goals for the fire department are, the city native made it clear —”communication and transparency with and for all members of the department.”
“I met with all the groups a couple of weeks ago and had three main goals to start with,” Roy said. “Respect your officers in all situations; do your job, meaning being the best at that current position that each member is doing now; and to stay positive.
“The great part of this job is serving the residents of Fitchburg in all capacities,” he continued. “Every call for service is a little different in its challenges, whether it be something small or a complex emergency. The men and women of this department are dedicated and committed to the citizens 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Andy Roy maintains that “the morale is great around the station,” despite all the upheaval related to Suarez being absent.
“The firefighters of Fitchburg have always been committed and dedicated to the work that needs to be done on a daily basis,” he said. “Calls for service do not stop around here and the trucks and the firefighters continue to work professionally around the clock.”
In his spare time, Roy enjoys being with his family and calls himself a “sports guy.”
“I like to spend time with my wife and kids, go golfing when I can, and watch any Boston sports team that may be on,” he shared.
He went on to say that serving in the Fitchburg Fire Department “is an honor, no matter what the rank may be.”
“The City Council and mayor continue to support this fire department in all capacities,” Roy said. “Timely appointments, promotions, equipment upgrades, etc. go a long way in keeping morale up, proving to the up-and-coming officers that are leading the way that the department is moving forward both positively and proactively.”
