The Town of Concord is pleased to announce the appointment of Assistant Chief Brian Whitney as Interim Fire Chief, following the retirement of Chief Judge after a distinguished career. With over thirty-four years of service to the department, Chief Whitney will provide steady leadership during this period of transition.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Chief Whitney's caliber to step into this role," said Kerry A. Lafleur, Town Manager. "His extensive experience and commitment to our community are invaluable as we work through the process of appointing a permanent replacement. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Chief Judge for his decades of dedicated service to the department and community.”
Chief Whitney began his career with the Concord Fire Department as a firefighter in November 1991. He has since risen through the ranks, serving as a Lieutenant in 2011, a Captain in 2016, and most recently as Assistant Fire Chief in July 2023. A key highlight of his career is his key contributions towards the successful award of a $995,680 FEMA grant to train 14 employees to become paramedics, a critical initiative that will expand the town’s Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities. His professional qualifications include the prestigious Massachusetts Fire Chief accreditation and a Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program certification. In addition, he has been an instructor with the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy since February 1991. In 2000, he was promoted to one of the Assistant Coordinator positions at the Academy.
"I am honored to serve as Interim Chief and provide continuity for the department and our community," said Chief Whitney. "I am committed to ensuring our firefighters have the support they need to continue providing excellent service. I look forward to working with everyone to maintain our high standards during this transition."
Chief Whitney's appointment as Interim Fire Chief is effective August 8, 2025. The interim appointment will remain in place for up to 90 days, or until a permanent appointment is made.