Stamborski set to retire in June; Cross to become next Chicopee fire chief

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross (left) stands with current Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski, who is set to retire on June 16.
Photo credit: Chicopee Fire Department

CHICOPEE — After 29 years of service, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski is set to retire from the Chicopee Fire Department on June 16.

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross will be appointed as the new chief around that same time.

Stamborski joined the Chicopee Fire Department in 1997 with 14 other recruits, including some who went on to become officers in the department and others who have since retired. He worked his way through the ranks before he was sworn in as fire chief in 2019. He discussed why he was so passionate about joining the fire service.

“I got into the fire service because my father was a 28-year veteran with the department,” Stamborski said. “I just felt like I found my calling when I started working here 29 years ago and absolutely loved it.”

Stamborski said he has worked with so many amazing, kindhearted, caring and brave individuals during his “amazing experience.” He told Reminder Publishing that he is now ready to spend more time with friends and family.

Stamborski shared that his time as chief was both challenging and rewarding at the same time. He made significant changes with the help of the mayor and City Council, including adding some additional ambulances to the city’s fleet and getting all the fire trucks licensed at the Emergency Fire Responder level.

He also credited the people he worked with over the years, stating, “A lot of people don’t realize our call volume lasy year was over 15,000 emergency responses, and you do the math over six stations, the men and women on our department work extremely hard every day, and I’m proud to be part of that.”

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.

“He certainly earned it. He’s an outstanding man, good dad, good person, we’re good friends,” Stamborski said of Cross. “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.”

More information regarding the promotional ceremony for Cross will be announced soon, but Stamborski said it is tentatively scheduled for June 16.

Stamborski left a heartfelt message to the city.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be the chief and serve the city for the last 29 years,” Stamborski said. “If you ever encounter a firefighter from any town or city, shake their hands and tell them thank you for their service, much like they do for the military members, who are amazing, because they do a very difficult job every day. I’m just proud of every one of the members of our department. I think they do an amazing job for the city every day that they come to work.”