Central Falls appoints Scott Mello as Fire Chief
Former Acting Chief of Providence Fire, Mello brings long-standing leadership experience in diversifying force
CENTRAL FALLS, RI (March 5, 2021) – Today Central Falls named its new Fire Chief, Scott Mello, who has committed to continuing his multi-decade career in fire safety and emergency response in the One Square Mile city, following official Personnel Board confirmation.
Chief Mello has long-standing leadership experience protecting and serving a diverse, urban-core community. He brings with him 32 years of experience in fire safety and emergency response from the City of Providence – one of the nation’s busiest fire departments with approximately 40,000 calls to emergencies annually.
Among his many goals for Central Falls, Chief Mello aims to continue important progress to diversify the city’s fire department, including increasing firefighters of color, and bringing women onto the 42-member department.
“Chief Mello’s ambitious goals to bring new training and more diversity to our Fire Department exemplify exactly what we need: a powerful commitment to elevating our community to its fullest capacity,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera. “As one of the busiest fire departments in the state often seeing emergencies like major house and old mill fires, I’m confident in Chief Mello to lead our talented fire department, and further strengthen our city.”
During his tenure in Providence, Chief Mello served as the Director of Training for two Fire Academies (49th and 50th), and chaired a recruitment committee that actively recruited minority and female candidates, with a particular focus on increasing Latino representation. Through his intentional diversity efforts, Chief Mello’s two Academies became, at the time, the most diverse in city history.
“I am truly humbled that Mayor Rivera has chosen me to lead the Central Falls Fire Department. It will be my pleasure to work with all the city officials and the different departments of the city,” said Chief Scott Mello. “Central Falls has a rich tradition of diversity and I believe that makes Central Falls a quality city and especially a strong Fire Department. The reputation of the Fire Department and all its members is impeccable and I will enjoy continuing that tradition.”
Chief Mello started his firefighter career in 1984 and rose through the ranks through competitive examinations to Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and eventually Acting Chief of Providence Fire, retiring in June 2016. Among many responsibilities as Acting Chief, Mello was responsible for managing personnel department-wide, leading operations for the department, and oversight of the department’s $70 million budget.
“On behalf of Local 1485, the Central Falls Firefighters union, we welcome Chief Scott Mello to the city of Central Falls,” said Paul Chalmers, President, Local 1485, I.A.F.F, AFL-CIO. “The union looks forward to working with the new Chief to enhance the service we provide the citizens and community of Central Falls and work towards a safer and more productive department for our members.”
Chief Mello has numerous industry certifications, from a Management and Budget Training Certificate from Providence College to an Emergency Management Institute Certification from FEMA, and attended the National Fire Academy for the Executive Fire Officer Program. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Economics from Rhode Island College, and an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Providence College.
“As a veteran of this department for over 30 years and its Deputy Chief, it is my distinct honor to welcome the 15th Fire Chief to this department,” said Central Falls Deputy Fire Chief Keith Sullivan. “The men of this department work very hard with very little, and commit daily to protecting this community. I am encouraged by Chief Mello’s knowledge and experience, and believe his work will be critical to our department.”
Chief Mello begins his first full day working in Central Falls on Monday, March 8, 2021.
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