AUBURN — Matt Fifield, a 17-year veteran of the Auburn Fire Department, has been named the city’s deputy fire chief. 

Fire Chief Robert Chase announced the appointment Friday, which will be effective Jan. 7.

Fifield, of Poland, is a fire captain in Auburn, and according to Chase, “has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the fire service profession and to the field of emergency medicine through his educational achievements and his career experience.”

Prior to coming to Auburn, Fifield worked at the Windham and Oxford fire departments, and United Ambulance. According to Friday’s news release, he’s a member of the Androscoggin County HAZMAT team and has more than 20 years of experience working for the Mechanic Falls Fire Department where he’s the deputy fire chief and fire inspector. Since 2016, Fifield has also been responsible for facilities management of all three Auburn fire stations.

“I’m very pleased with Matt Fifield’s promotion to deputy fire chief,” City Manager Peter Crichton said in the news release. “Under the exceptional leadership of Chief Bob Chase and Deputy Chief Fifield, and with the strong team we have in place at the Auburn Fire Department, the future of the AFD is stronger and brighter than ever.”

Fifield graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn and earned an associate degree in fire science at the former Southern Maine Technical College. He also holds an Advanced EMT license.

“Matt’s training, skills, experience, and leadership bring great value to the city of Auburn’s public safety team and will best position the Auburn Fire Department to meet the challenges it faces,” Chase said in the news release.

The deputy chief position has been vacant since Chase was named chief in April 2018.