Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Tobio has been appointed to serve as interim chief of the Belmont Fire Department.
“I’m excited to work with the [Select Board], the town administrator, the members of the department, and the community as a whole,” Tobio said. “…I’m honored and humbled to be in the position, and I look forward to what the future holds.”
Tobio has been a member of the department since 2003, serving in various roles, he said. Before joining the department, he served as a dispatcher in Belmont, a part-time job he retained until becoming assistant fire chief.
Earlier this summer, Chief David DeStefano announced his plans to retire. His last day was Sept. 6. In a statement released when his plans were announced, DeStefano said his decision was made “in order to allow me to pursue other interests and professional opportunities, while also permitting me to spend much more time with my family than I have been able to over the years in the fire service.”
“I’m excited that we had somebody in place within the fire department who we felt very comfortable with and who, it seems, the fire Department feels very comfortable with stepping into the interim chief role,” Select Board Chair Taylor Yates said. “I wish Chief Tobio the best of luck in this role.”
According to Yates, Tobio was a high-scoring finalist in the previous chief search.
“Andrew has served the department for a long time, including as the assistant chief,” Yates said. “As with the police department, when the chief resigned, the assistant chief has been the natural choice [for interim].”
His base salary will be $172,000 prorated for however long he serves in the role, according to Yates.
The search for a new chief will be open, and similar to the police chief search. Yates said it likely won’t happen this fall, but could begin as soon as winter 2027.
