New vehicle order for fire chief pending after fire extinguisher accident

Corrosive foam destroyed the interior of Wareham Fire Chief John Kelley's work vehicle after a fire extinguisher was released inside the trunk. 

According to acting Chief Mark Rogers, the extinguisher imploded during transport in July 2025, and the department’s insurance company deemed it totaled. However, a new vehicle was purchased without necessary departmental approval. 

The Wareham Fire District Board of Engineers, which works with the fire chief to oversee the department’s policies, budgets and personnel, did not sign off on the purchase of  a replacement vehicle for Kelley due to claims he did not follow proper purchase procedures. 

The issue was discussed at the board’s Thursday, Feb. 19 meeting. Rogers, Assistant Chief Patrick Haksell and Kelly sit on the board.

Kelley has been on medical leave  for undisclosed reasons since early December 2025 and cannot attend meetings. 

The vehicle’s interior was cleaned three separate times before the insurance company deemed it a total loss. Kelley ordered a replacement — outfitted with fire-related equipment — with the payout for the original vehicle after the Wareham Fire District Prudential Committee told him to “take care of it,” according to committee Chair Dean Decas.

The Wareham Fire District Prudential Committee is an elected board that oversees the Wareham Fire District.

Rogers said Kelley did not obtain the necessary signatures from the Board of Engineers before he ordered the vehicle. Haskell said he hesitated to approve the purchase because of district rules. 

"We need to toe the line and follow what we put out there," Haskell said. "I think it was important that we follow the rules. I didn't want to put myself in a position where I was potentially not doing that."

Decas asked the board why Kelley’s order wasn't approved if he already had the Prudential Committee's support. He claimed district members hadn't followed similar rules in the past.  

"The insurance covered it, we told the chief to take care of it," Decas said. "We gave him the authority to do it and now we're being held hostage."

Decas said involving lawyers and purchasing a new vehicle will cost the fire district more money if the board will not sign the purchase order. 

"I am asking, again, for these extenuating circumstances for the board to sign off on this," he said. 

The board did not discuss a plan for signing the purchase, and the sum of insurance payout, cleanings and new vehicle price has not been revealed. The next Board of Engineers meeting is to be announced.