Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the Springfield Fire Department, Congressman Richard E. Neal, State Representative Carlos Gonzales, State Senator Adam Gomez, City Council President Tracye Whitfield, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, along with city and state officials joined with Springfield Fire Commissioner Miguel A. Rivera and family for a historic Oath of Office Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall on Monday morning.
Commissioner Rivera was pinned and sworn in alongside his family Jacqueline Fernandez-Rivera (wife), Abram M. Rivera (son), Lexyani M. Rivera (daughter), and Rosa Ramos (mother); Kenneth I. Martinez (son) could not attend in person.
It was a special moment as the First Latina Cabinet in the city’s history (also appointed under Mayor Sarno’s administration) Election Commissioner and City Clerk Gladys Oyola Lopez administered the Oath of Office for the second Latino Cabinet Head in the city’s history, Fire Commissioner Miguel Rivera.
“I want to thank Mayor Sarno for his confidence and belief in me. I am honored to serve as Springfield’s first Latino Fire Commissioner, recognizing the importance of this milestone, while remaining committed to representing every member of the Department and every resident of the city of Springfield,” stated Fire Commissioner Miguel A. Rivera.
“This is a very proud moment and another historic and groundbreaking appointment under my administration for our city as we come together to celebrate a proud resident of Springfield, a graduate of Putnam Vocational Technical High School, a brave military veteran, and someone who has spent his career serving our Springfield Fire Department, working to keep us all safe, Miguel “Mike” Rivera – our new, and the city’s first Latino, Springfield Fire Commissioner,” said Mayor
Sarno.
“I am proud to, once again, congratulate Springfield Fire Commissioner Miguel ‘Mike’ Rivera and look forward to continuing to work together. As previously stated, I continue to have the full confidence in Fire Commissioner Rivera, his leadership team and the brave and dedicated men and women who serve in our Springfield Fire Department. Anytime you’re the first to ‘break the glass ceiling’, it is important to highlight it, for it brings inspiration and pride to those, who through hard work, can follow in these footsteps too.”
Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers spoke on the power of representation. During his remarks, he spoke directly to Commissioner Rivera, “You didn’t just make history, you made hope visible.”
Springfield’s great diversity is one of our greatest strengths; and it was heartily celebrated today by all who joined to mark this historic occasion.
With the Flag of Puerto Rico proudly waving between two ladder trucks out on Court Street, Commissioner Rivera with his family, and dignitaries were led into Symphony Hall by bagpiper Harold Grout and the Springfield Fire Department Color Guard. Anthony “Tony C” Cignoli served master of ceremonies. The ‘Songstress of Springfield’ Vanessa Ford performed the National Anthem. Bishop William Byrne gave a special prayer in both Spanish and English.
Fire Department Captain Drew Piemonte provided remarks. Retired Fire Lieutenant Kelley Jones also spoke. Also joining today were State Representative Orlando Ramos, State Representative Bud Williams, City Councilors Michael Fenton, Melvin Edwards, Jose Delgado, Lavar Click Bruce, Maria Perez, Kateri Walsh, Victor Davila, and Brian Santaniello, as well as School Committee members Rosa Valentin and Ayanna Crawford. Fire Department Chaplain Timothy Paul Baymon, Representatives from American Medical Response of Springfield, and our Springfield Emergency Communications 911 Dispatch team also attended.
Miguel M. (“Mike”) Rivera, is a proud military veteran, and before being appointed Fire Commissioner by Mayor Domenic Sarno, had served as Deputy Chief of Department Operations for our Springfield Fire Department. Rivera is a proud lifelong Springfield resident and graduate of Putnam Vocational Technical High School. Rivera has served our Springfield Fire Department for more than 17 years. He joined the Department on January 12, 2009. He served five years on the SFD Rescue Squad, as a Bomb Technician on Bomb Squad, as a Lieutenant, assigned to Truck 1, as well as Captain, serving in the Training Division before commanding Truck 4, and as District Chief, serving District 2, with a focus on hands-on leadership development, team building, and multi-company training.
Commissioner Rivera was officially and technically sworn into his new role on July 24, 2026, the final day of service of outgoing Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi. Commissioner Rivera took command at 12:01 a.m. Saturday July 25, 2026.
“Prior to coming on as our Springfield Fire Commissioner, when I tapped BJ Calvi, he had been serving as Deputy Chief of Operations over at Agawam. Now we have another Deputy Chief of Operations once again assuming the Commissioner role,” explained Mayor Sarno. “Fire Commissioner Rivera will lead our Springfield Fire Department with more initiatives and reforms and handle all the day-to-day affairs and duties concerning the operations of the Department, including ‘command and control’ of all department members, professional standards, as well as hiring’s, promotions, and as well as assignments. I wish much success to new our Springfield Commissioner Miguel “Mike’ Rivera.”
“Special thank you to the Spirit of Springfield and Springfield Symphony Hall along with my city team for organizing this special event,” concluded Mayor Sarno.
