RI State Fire Marshal to Retire; Interim Replacement Named

SCITUATE, RI – Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State
Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, today announced:
The retirement of Rhode Island State Fire Marshal John Chartier, who is retiring as
of June 30, 2017, after nine years as director of the Division of State Fire
Marshal. Marshal Chartier previously served as Chief of the Warwick Fire
Department, where he worked for 30 years, before becoming State Fire Marshal.
The appointment of James B. Gumbley, currently Chief Deputy in the Division of State
Fire Marshal, as the acting State Fire Marshal. Chief Gumbley has served as Chief
Deputy for the past five years. He previously served as planner for the Rhode Island
Emergency Management Agency and Chief of the Cranston Fire Department, where he had
served for 30 years.

Colonel Assumpico said Chief Gumbley will serve as Acting State Fire Marshal while a
search is conducted to fill the position permanently.
«On behalf of every Rhode Islander, I thank Marshal Chartier for serving our state
over the span of almost a decade,» Governor Gina Raimondo said. «We wish him the
best of luck in retirement. I look forward to working with Acting Marshal Gumbley
while we search for a permanent replacement.»
«We’d like to thank Marshal Chartier for his service to the state and we’re
confident that Acting Marshal Gumbley will provide a seamless transition in managing
the division while the search for a permanent replacement is underway,» Colonel
Assumpico said.