LEICESTER, Mass. - An important milestone was reached for the town of Leicester after its Board of Selectmen appointed their first ever full-time fire chief this week. 

Chief Michael Dupuis has worked for the department for nearly 40 years, but always had another job while serving as a firefighter. 

Dupuis says the department will still remain an on-call department, but as the town grows, the Chief says it's important to have someone able to dedicate more of their time at the station. 

"All the former chiefs I worked for, they had their own jobs. It’s time. Time is the biggest thing. This gives me an advantage. Instead of getting out of work at 4, going home, changing, and then coming here working two to three hours trying to get as much done and going home in the dark,” Chief Dupuis said. “Now this gives me eight hours a day to get stuff done, helping out with inspections, just everything."

Chief Dupuis’ first day as the full time chief is October 18.