The Town of Concord announces the retirement of Fire Chief Thomas Judge, effective August 7, 2025. Chief Judge's career spans over 42 years of dedicated service to the Concord community.
Chief Judge began his distinguished career in Concord in February 1983 as a public safety dispatcher with the Concord Police Department. In April 1985, he joined the Fire Department, spending the next eleven years gaining diverse experience across fire service and public safety operations.
In December 1996, he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to Group 3 at Engine 44 (now Engine 4) in West Concord, where he served for fifteen years. July 2011 brought his promotion to Captain, returning to headquarters as Shift Commander for Group 3. Around this time, Chief Judge continued his formal education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science.
In 2015, he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. His bachelor's degree allowed him to enroll in the prestigious Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This four-year commitment included two weeks of in-person coursework annually. Shortly after his first year, the Fire Chief position opened, and he was selected. He proudly graduated from the EFO program three years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During Chief Judge's tenure, the department saw significant advancements. When he first joined, there were thirty-two shift personnel, with an average of eight on duty. Since 2007, staffing has increased to eleven, commonly working with ten. He oversaw the expansion of ambulance coverage from one cross-staffed unit to include an additional staffed ambulance in West Concord. A highlight of his leadership has been the ongoing transition to a paramedic-level service, a long-anticipated enhancement set to roll out around July 2026. "I am extremely proud of the department members and their efforts to make this happen, and I am very happy to have been a part of it," said Chief Judge.
"It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the residents of Concord alongside the incredibly brave and dedicated men and women of this department," said Chief Judge. "I'm immensely proud of what we've accomplished, and I have full confidence the department will continue its tradition of excellence. Concord has been a great place to work, and I've been fortunate to have had great opportunities and tremendous people to work with. The Concord Fire Department is a place where everyone treats each other with respect, works hard, and trains hard across many disciplines. I've been lucky to serve as their Chief."
Chief Judge also acknowledged the strong support he received throughout his career from the community, Town Manager, and elected officials, which he stated has been instrumental in attracting qualified personnel and improving services. "Chief Judge’s unwavering commitment to public safety and his deep knowledge of firefighting operations have left an indelible mark on the department and our community," said Town Manager Kerry Lafleur. "Beyond his leadership within the Fire Department, he has served as an unofficial mentor to many newer and younger members of our Senior Management Team, always keenly engaged in helping address issues and implement best practices across the organization. His insights and observations will be greatly missed. His leadership throughout his tenure with the Town will be a lasting legacy for not only the department but town operations in general."
The Concord Fire Department will announce plans for Chief Judge’s successor in the coming weeks.