GB's New Fire Chief is Settling In

Scott Turner is now on the job as chief of the Great Barrington Fire Department.

Turner, who began his job Sept. 1, has 29 years of experience in fire protection service and has served as the fire chief of Three Rivers Fire Department in the Pioneer Valley since 2013.

He succeeds Charles Burger, who departed the Berkshire region earlier this year. Interim Chief James Mead has been leading the department since.

“We are impressed with Scott Turner’s experience and talent in fire protection in Massachusetts, and we look forward to his leadership at GBFD,” said Town Manager Mark Pruhenski. “And we are grateful to Interim Chief Mead for managing the department while we conducted our search for a new chief."

Turner is a graduate of the Massachusetts Fire Academy, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management. In 2023, he completed the Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program, and in 2017, completed training as a fire protection officer.

Prior to working in fire protection, Turner worked for the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forest Fire Control. He also served as a seasonal firefighter.

In his new role, Turner will lead the Great Barrington Fire Department’s staff of three paid firefighters and 17 call firefighters.