James Sousa has been named Warren’s new Fire Chief, replacing veteran Al Galinelli, who will retire at the end of the month after nearly 30 years as the town’s top fire fighter and 50-plus years on the force.
Chief Sousa, a Warren native who graduated from Warren High School in 1988, was interviewed last week by Chief Galinelli, the police chief and town manager, and was notified that he’d gotten the job on Wednesday. He will work with outgoing Chief Galinelli for the next two weeks until the reins are officially handed over on Friday, Oct. 27.
“It’s a lifelong dream that just fell into place,” said incoming Chief Sousa, who joined the Warren force as a cadet at age 16 and worked his way up the ranks to become assistant chief with Engine 6 in Touisset.
“Starting off as a volunteer, and then having the opportunity to do this for a career, it’s been great,” said Chief Sousa. The thought of becoming chief “is very appealing.”
Chief Sousa was the only member of the Warren Fire Department to apply for the job, which outgoing Chief Galinelli said is a testament to his standing in Warren’s all volunteer force.