ORANGE — The town’s fire chief is one step closer to unlocking the pinnacle of achievement in firefighting after the Selectboard voted to approve a fire chief job description as required.
James Young Jr. has been at the helm of the Orange Fire Department for 10½ years, and this duration — along with a bachelor’s degree in fire administration — means he is eligible to become a certified chief fire officer from the Center of Public Safety Excellence in Reston, Virginia.
“It’s something that’s commonly known throughout the fire service. It’s just something that I’ve always been interested in doing,” he said in an interview. “Because I’m eligible, I’m taking the step to achieve that accreditation.”
The Center of Public Safety Excellence is an American not-for-profit entity but certifies officers around the world. As of February, there were 2,030 chief fire officers on the planet, according to a post on the center’s Facebook page.
Young said the designation’s requirements are 10 years of service as fire chief and a bachelor’s degree in the field. He earned his degree online via Columbia Southern University, in Alabama.
Young noted he approached the Selectboard because the town lacked a fire chief job description, which is a requirement to apply for the chief fire officer designation. He mentioned his application now goes through peer review.
Town Administrator Matthew Fortier said he and the Selectboard support Young’s pursuit of this designation because he has been an integral part of the Orange Fire Department for nearly three decades. Young has worked his entire 27½-year career in Orange and he succeeded Dennis Annear as chief.
“During his tenure, he has successfully managed the day-to-day operations of a 24/7 career fire department that also provides regional EMS services. Chief Young is a strong advocate for his department and the fire service profession,” Fortier said in a statement. “His leadership was evident when he championed his team at the 35th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards, where members of his department received prestigious recognitions. He has guided the department through major incidents, including the significant cereal factory fire in 2022, demonstrating exceptional command and coordination. His commitment to excellence and community safety makes him highly deserving of the chief fire officer designation.”