Cross outlines vision as new Chicopee fire chief

Newly appointed Chicopee Fire Chief Matthew Cross talks to the packed City Hall auditorium after his swearing-in ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet

CHICOPEE — For the first time since 2019, Chicopee will have a new fire chief after former Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross was sworn into the position on June 16.

The ceremony commenced after former Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski announced plans to retire from the Chicopee Fire Department following 29 years with the city, almost seven of which were as chief.

Cross, meanwhile, is a lifelong Chicopee resident who joined the Chicopee Fire Department in 1996 and has served the community for over three decades, rising through the ranks as lieutenant, captain and deputy chief since 2015. Most recently, he earned the highest overall score in the Civil Service Assessment Center process.

Cross stressed the importance of honoring the department’s traditions, embracing the future and continuing to provide the highest level of service to Chicopee residents.

“I am ready to work hard every single day, lead with integrity and serve this department to the very best of my ability,” Cross said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the fire chief of the Chicopee Fire Department. I am proud to serve this great department, great city and to stand beside all of you.”

He also stated that he wants to lead the department with fairness, consistency, transparency and respect.

“At the heart of everything we do are the residents of Chicopee who trust us during the most difficult moments of their lives,” Cross shared. “This trust is something we will continue to earn every day. As we move forward, we will never lose sight of the traditions and values that have made this department what it is today.”

Cross is a graduate of the Department of Fire Services Chief Fire Officer Management Program and has an associate degree in fire science. He has served on the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazardous Materials Response Team for 17 years and currently serves as technical support and truck manager. He is also an instructor at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Cross said these experiences, along with the outstanding colleagues he works with, reinforced the importance of professionalism, preparation and clear thinking while under pressure.

Looking ahead, Cross acknowledged that the fire service is changing with new challenges every day, including an increased call volume, staffing shortages and recruitment hurdles. “There is nobody I would rather face these challenges with than the dedicated individuals in this room today,” Cross stated. “As fire chief, I believe our success will depend upon taking care of our people, embracing innovation and remaining focused on our mission.”

Now in his new leadership role, Cross said his priorities include placing the safety and well-being of the firefighters in Chicopee at the center of every decision, modernizing training and recruitment efforts to attract, develop and retain the best talent, and continuing to build strong partnerships with city departments, state agencies, and the community to reduce risk and enhance emergency response.

Throughout his career, Cross has demonstrated leadership and dedication, according to the city. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the department’s executive officer for more than two years, helping guide and support the department through unprecedented challenges. He has also secured more than $1.8 million in state and federal grant funding to support the department and its mission.

In addition to his service in the Fire Department, Cross is an active volunteer with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, helping address food insecurity in multiple communities.

Stamborski talked to Reminder Publishing about Cross before his promotion.

“He certainly earned it. He’s an outstanding man, good dad, good person, we’re good friends,” Stamborski said. “He’s got more time on the job than I do. He’s got 30 years of experience right now, and [he’s] well-qualified to serve the city.”

Mayor John Vieau said he interviewed a lot of great candidates but decided Cross was the right person to lead the department.

“The challenges we face as a community are real, their genuine and it requires a proven leader,” Vieau said. “I’ll share that it’s a tough decision to pick when you have wonderful, amazing, qualified, capable people in leadership roles, so I’m grateful for that as well. As deputy chief, [Cross] is doing an amazing job. I can tell by just the amount of people who are in this room or who are here today to celebrate and are here to witness that Deputy Chief Matthew Cross is the right decision. I’m excited for the direction the Fire Department is heading in.”