TAUNTON — The Taunton Fire Department is pleased to announce that Steven Lavigne has been appointed as the department’s new fire chief.
Chief Lavigne began in his new position on Aug. 13 and was officially sworn in during a ceremony on Aug. 8. He succeeds Chief Timothy Bradshaw who retired on Aug. 12.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next chief of the Taunton Fire Department,” said Chief Lavigne. “It has been a pleasure to serve the Taunton community for the past 34 years and I look forward to continuing to support the great work that the men and women of this department do every day in my new capacity.”
Chief Lavigne, a lifelong Taunton resident, joined the department in 1989 as a firefighter at the Central Fire Station. In 1997 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was assigned to the Fire Prevention Unit where he served for four years.
In 2001, Chief Lavigne served as lieutenant for Engine 1 before his promotion to captain in 2006.
While serving as captain, Chief Lavigne was assigned to the Training Division where he served as a training officer. During this time he also taught at fire academies in both Fall River and New Bedford.
In 2011, Chief Lavigne was named house captain of the Bay Street Fire Station where he has served for the past 12 years.
After serving under retired Chief Bradshaw for many years, Chief Lavigne plans to continue to utilize Chief Bradshaw’s policies and procedures. He also greatly looks forward to working alongside city officials as they prepare to move to a new public safety facility in three years.
“Chief Steve Lavigne is a seasoned, experienced fire officer with a ton of knowledge about the Fire Department and what firefighters need to do their jobs well,” said retired Chief Bradshaw. “After serving as the long-time House Captain of the Bay Street station, this experience on a front-line engine gives him a unique perspective that will be very helpful to him as Chief and beneficial to the entire Department. I left the role of Chief knowing that the Department is in capable hands and will move forward in significant ways under Chief Lavigne’s guidance.”
Chief Lavigne comes from a public safety family, with relatives serving in both police and fire capacities. Chief Lavigne has two sons who currently serve as police officers for the City of Taunton.
“Steven Lavigne steps into the role of Fire Chief with a wealth of knowledge and experience,” said Mayor Shaunna O’Connell. “Throughout his 34 years of service with the Taunton Fire Department, Chief Lavigne has steadily risen through the ranks and has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow firefighters. He has a broad and comprehensive understanding of the Fire Department which will serve him well in his new role. I look forward to working with Chief Lavigne and I hold the utmost confidence that this Department will continue to grow successfully under his leadership.”
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