Emergency Management

Emergency Management Director: Chief Matthew Grafton

Chief Matthew Grafton, a lifelong Stoneham resident, was appointed to the Stoneham Fire Department in April 1999 and has served as the Chief of the Stoneham Fire Department for the past three years, since February 2016.

In September 2018, Chief Grafton was appointed as the town’s Emergency Management Director. As the Emergency Management Director, he will oversee the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEM) to prepare the town to respond to critical situations including human-caused emergencies and natural disasters. The CEM plan is currently being drafted by firefighter Michael Rourke, the Assistant Emergency Management Director.

Chief Grafton is also responsible as the emergency management director for operating the emergency operations center, and for coordinating emergency planning with local organizations including the fire and police departments, MBTA, public works, public health, and MEMA.

In the event of an emergency, he will also advise the Town Administrator and Decision Team on possible resources, courses of action, and mitigation.

Following an honorable discharge from the United States Navy in 1998, Chief Grafton first joined the department in 1999. In January 2010 he advanced to rank of Lieutenant and in February 2011 he became a Fire Captain, a position he held until becoming Chief of the Department.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science administration from Salem State College and an associate’s degree in fire protection and safety technology from North Shore Community College.

Today, Chief Grafton is a member of the Board of Directors for MetroFire District 13, a Hazmat Steering Committee Member for District 2. He holds numerous certifications, and is a Massachusetts Fire Commission Credentialed Fire Chief, certified as Firefighter I and II, Fire Prevention Officer I, Fire Suppression Safety Officer, Fire Instructor I and II, Hazardous Material First Responder, EMT, Fire Officer I, II, and III, Incident Command System 100-400, National Incident Management System 700 -800, and completed the Chief Fire Officer Management program through UMASS and the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Assistant Emergency Management Director: Michael Rourke

After Firefighter Michael Rourke worked as an emergency preparedness program coordinator and manager at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for three years, he was appointed to the Stoneham Fire Department in October 2016.

Firefighter Rourke was named the Assistant Emergency Management Director in September 2018 and is currently developing the town’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEM), which is expected to be completed within the year. The CEM plan will prepare the town to respond to a variety of emergencies, including human-caused emergencies and natural disasters. It will also offer procedures to help the town mitigate and recover from emergency situations.

During his time working at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, he managed, developed, and put in place numerous emergency preparation plans, initiatives, and procedures. His responsibilities included conducting trainings and exercises, maintaining emergency plans, and facilitating a coordinated response to disasters and critical incidents.

Firefighter Rourke holds a bachelor’s of science degree in emergency management from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He holds numerous certifications including Firefighter I and II, Massachusetts EMT-Basic, HAZMAT Operations Level Responder, and a PADI SCUBA certification. He has also been trained in Incident Command System 100-400, FEMA Professional Development Series, Emergency Management of Radiation Accident Victims, OSHA 30 and 40, MEMA Basic Sheltering Concepts and National Incident Management System 700 and 800.