Southborough fire chief has resigned to take job at new Florida theme park

Norman Miller, The MetroWest Daily News
·3 min read

SOUTHBOROUGH — After receiving a "once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity," Fire Chief Steven Achilles has announced he is resigning from the department.

Achilles, who arrived from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 2019, will remain with the Southborough Fire Department through Feb. 7. He will become fire protection manager at Universal Studios' new theme park, Epic Universe, set to open in Orlando, Florida, in the summer of 2025.

"My wife and I have a home down in Florida, a second home," said Achilles, 58. "We always thought when we were done with my time here, we would like to make that our primary home. This was an opportunity that wasn't going to come up again. It was unique. I wasn't looking to go to another fire department. I wasn't actively looking for a new job."

Southborough Fire Chief Steven Achilles is resigning early next year to take a job at a new Universal Studios theme park in Florida.
Southborough Fire Chief Steven Achilles is resigning early next year to take a job at a new Universal Studios theme park in Florida.

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Achilles joined the Southborough Fire Department in 2019 with the goal to work in Southborough for 10 years. However, when a friend recently told him about the Universal Studios job, he took a chance and applied.

"It was an opportunity where I could leverage my fire service experience, my degrees and my knowledge in a role that was not a municipal setting," said Achilles. "My wife and I thought a lot about it and we thought it could be a great opportunity to move up our plans to move to Florida."

Achilles was a firefighter for 34 years in N.H. before coming to Southborough

Achilles has been a firefighter for 38 years, first joining his hometown Derry, New Hampshire, Fire Department in 1985. In 2000, he joined the Portsmouth Fire Department, working his way up to deputy chief, assistant chief and finally chief in 2013. He held that position until 2019, when he moved to Southborough.

Achilles said his decision to leave is not a reflection of what he thinks about the town or the department.

"I'm not displeased with anything that's happened here," he said. "We got a lot of new equipment. We moved into a new station. We've had people in school obtaining their certifications, we have a strategic plan. We've done a lot here."

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Achilles said in the next few weeks he will work with the town to develop a transition plan, as well as provide his recommendation for short- and long-term leadership in the department.

Despite being excited for the new opportunity, Achilles said he will also be sad to leave Southborough. He has come to think of it as a home after buying a house in town three years ago.

"It is bittersweet because I've really enjoyed and appreciate the town's support," he said. "It's a great fire department. We've done a lot of great things with the support of the elected officials and the residents. The men and women of this department really embraced this idea of improvement and leaning forward. I think I'm going to miss them the most. They're very dedicated and committed."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Southborough fire chief resigns for job Universal Studios theme park