Londonderry’s new Fire Chief made his first public appearance last week during the Town Council meeting, marking an important transition for the Londonderry Fire Department. For the first time since late 2024, the department will once again have a permanent chief at the helm.
James R. Young Jr. was hired earlier this year following a months long search. His appointment officially took effect on Feb. 17, 2026.
“The Town of Londonderry is proud to announce the appointment of James R. Young Jr. as its new Fire Chief,” the town said in a press release. “With more than 27 years of distinguished service in the Massachusetts Fire Service, Chief Young brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to public safety.”
The vacancy was created after former Fire Chief Bo Butler publicly announced his resignation. Butler had been hired in 2023 after an internal search.
A Career Built in Orange, Massachusetts
During the meeting, Young spoke about his background and the path that led him to Londonderry.
“It is an honor and privilege to be here in the Town of Londonderry,” he said.
Young grew up in Orange, MA, the community where he began his fire service career as an on-call firefighter in 1998. He remained with the department for nearly 28 years, ultimately serving as fire chief and emergency management director for the last ten and a half.
He said that when he learned about the opening in Londonderry, he was immediately interested. The more he researched the town and its fire department, the more confident he became that it was the right next step.
“When I learned about the Town of Londonderry and the opportunity, I was excited about it,” Young said. “The more I learned about it, the more it increased my desire to want to come to Londonderry.”
Young said he is “humbled and honored” to have been selected and promised to “do everything I can to live up to the expectations that you have of me.”
Young noted that the fire administration has already been working with him to bring him up to speed on ongoing projects and department priorities. He said he looks forward to building on the department’s existing strengths and continuing its progress.
“I’m looking forward to building on the success they have as a department,” he said.
Young attended the meeting with his wife Gloria and three of his children. His oldest was unable to attend due to a mandatory day at the Massachusetts Fire Academy.
“I’m so happy they could be here and share this moment with me,” Young said, adding that his family is eager to relocate to southern New Hampshire.
The town’s press release emphasized Young’s accomplishments in Orange, noting that his tenure “is marked by notable achievements, including securing federal and state grants to modernize emergency apparatus and equipment and implementing advancements that reduced the town’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, resulting in significant savings for residents and businesses.”
The release also highlighted Young’s leadership strengths beyond technical expertise.
“Chief Young is recognized for his collaborative approach to labor/management relations, budget development, and strategic planning,” it stated. “He has authored successful grants funding millions of dollars in improvements, overseen an Advance Life Support transporting ambulance service for four communities, and drafted policies that keep departments responsive and resilient.”
Deputy Fire Chief Phil LeBlanc, who has been serving as Acting Chief during the vacancy, was also recognized during the meeting for his leadership and service throughout the transition period.
With Young now officially in place, town officials expressed optimism about the department’s future and the stability his experience brings to the role.