Following a 32-year career focused on keeping his hometown safe, Methuen Fire Chief Tim Sheehy will officially retire on his birthday – July 11.
Though he admits he’ll miss the camaraderie of his tight-knit department and the relationships he’s built both in City Hall and across Methuen, Sheehy, 56, says the time is right as he’s “leaving the department in really good shape right now.”
Sheehy became chief in 2015. He’s worked hard to build MFD’s staff and fleet across the four stations. There are 111 members – all academy trained and certified EMTs. The department’s once-aging fleet now boasts 3 on-duty fully staffed ambulances, four fully staffed engines and a fully staffed ladder truck, plus an incoming Pierce engine truck.
“This is the third one we’ve bought in 4 or 5 years,” he said. “You try to keep everything in service – we’re getting more and more ambulance calls. Depending too much on mutual aid from other cities isn’t good.”
What IS good? That would be the bond among the fire staff and their willingness to go above and beyond for Methuen residents – something that brings Sheehy much pride.
“(The Fire Department) is still very close and tight-knit. They show up to everything – all the stuff they do for community, whether it’s the veterans’ cookout, the senior dinner, the fishing derby, Firefighter Sunday, 9/11 Memorial – they’re all volunteering for that,” he said. “We’ll have 20 or 30 (firefighters) show up at these things.”
He’s also pleased with the department’s on-duty work with residents.
“(I get) very few complaints, but I do get calls and e-mails from the community about them doing a great job,” Sheehy said. “I want (my staff) to treat (residents) as a family member. If somebody only has one interaction with us, I want it to be a good experience.”

Sheehy is also grateful for the support he’s received through the years from city councilors, whose votes ultimately decide the direction of the department.
“I’ve worked with really good city councils over the past 10 years – we disagree sometimes, but I can’t tell you one councilor who didn’t have the Fire Department’s back.”

Sheehy’s father James was a 30-year Lawence firefighter. While our chief remembers the fire house from his childhood, the Methuen High grad (Class of 1986) really didn’t aspire to work in that capacity until after his service with the Marines. Sheehy took the test, was hired by the Methuen Fire Department and climbed the ranks.
The biggest change he’s seen in his time as chief has been improvements in fire prevention.
“Fire prevention’s come a long way. We still go on all types of calls,” he said. “Fires are down a little, but we do (Emergency Management) also. That’s got do with fire prevention, not only in Methuen but statewide and nationwide.”
Upon reflection, his biggest challenge came when he was first named chief.

“We had a huge turnover, a lot of retirements due to that station that opened on Howe Street in ‘84. Everybody at the 30-year mark was leaving while I was taking over,” he said. “It was good, but challenging. It’s a generational thing, but we’ve got a really good young department. And everybody’s pretty close.”
Sheehy says his proudest moment was watching his twin sons, Kyle and Liam, become Methuen firefighters/EMTs.
“I didn’t push them,” he says. “They really wanted to do it.”
Of course, it’s not easy seeing – and overseeing – your kids work in a field where danger is lurking.
“It’s difficult when it’s your own kid – but I worry about everybody when there’s a fire,” Sheehy said.
For the moment, Sheehy plans to improve his golf game and do more traveling with his wife Kathy. He’ll miss the job, but not the pressure or the non-stop phone calls.
“I’m proud to lead this department. They make me look good!” Sheehy smiled. “It’s just the next chapter of my life.”