Mayor Hopkins announces new Cranston Fire Chief, Daniel E. Marcinko

Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins announced Daniel E. Marcinko as the 21st Chief of the Cranston Fire Department. Chief Marcinko will serve as acting fire chief until his permanent appointment is approved by advice and consent of the city council expected in late January.

Marcinko will succeed Robert Ryan, who is set to retire at the beginning of the new year. As Chief, Marcinko looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence within the Cranston Fire Department and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

A resident of Foster, Marcinko brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, boasting 42 years of dedicated service in firefighting and emergency service. Hopkins said Marcinko’s extensive background in public safety and emergency response made him the ideal candidate for this position.

“Marcinko’s experience and unwavering commitment to our community make him the right choice to lead the Cranston Fire Department,” Mayor Hopkins stated. “I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to enhance our safety services and support our dedicated firefighters.”

Hopkins said Marcinko has been a valued member of the Cranston Fire Department since 1990, when he began his career as a probationary firefighter. Over the years, he progressed through various ranks, including Lineman, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief. In 2021, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations, further solidifying his leadership role within the department.

In his announcement Monday morning, Mayor Hopkins praised retiring Chief Robert Ryan’s long tenure with the department and wished him well upon the eve of his retirement. Ryan started with the Cranston Fire Department in January of 1988 and rose through the ranks while serving across the city at various stations. He became a Deputy Chief in January 2019. Ryan was officially installed in December 2023 as the twentieth fire chief, succeeding Chief James Warren.

“Cranston is deeply grateful to Chief Robert Ryan for his extraordinary dedication and service to the Cranston Fire Department,” Hopkins said. “His unwavering commitment to our community, his leadership during challenging times, and his tireless efforts to ensure our safety have left a lasting impact. We wish him all the best in his retirement. I look forward to working with our new chief, Marcinko, in delivering the finest public safety services in the state.”