Cunha retires, Mello named acting fire chief for Providence

PROVIDENCE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF SCOTT G. MELLO, left, is becoming acting fire chief upon the retirement of Chief Clarence A. Cunha, who has worked at the department for nearly 35 years. / COURTESY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE
PROVIDENCE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF SCOTT G. MELLO, left, is becoming acting fire chief upon the retirement of Chief Clarence A. Cunha, who has worked at the department for nearly 35 years. / COURTESY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE

PROVIDENCE – Assistant Fire Chief Scott G. Mello will take over as acting fire chief this month following the mandatory retirement of Chief Clarence A. Cunha, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza said on Thursday.
Cunha served the department for nearly 35 years and has been chief since December 2013. He’s reached the department’s mandatory retirement age and will leave in mid-July, said Elorza, who in a statement praised Cunha’s “commitment to the safety of Providence and its residents.” The administration will conduct a search for a permanent replacement.
Mello has been with the department since 1984. “Throughout his career he has demonstrated courage and leadership that befit the responsibilities of acting chief,” Elorza said. “I look forward to working with him in that role.”
Mello has served as assistant chief of department since February. He worked at the Branch Avenue, LaSalle Square and Broad Street fire stations for nearly 25 years before being named director of training in 2011.
As acting chief, he said he looks “forward to working with tireless dedication and commitment to the safety of Providence.”

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