Berkley Fire and Rescue Department Announces Retirement of Chief Scott Fournier

Berkley Fire Chief Scott Fournier. (Photo courtesy Berkley Fire and Rescue Department)

BERKLEY — The Berkley Fire and Rescue Department announces the retirement of Chief Scott Fournier after a 40-year career.

Firefighting runs in the Fournier family’s blood. Chief Fournier’s grandfather, Francis Fournier, was the fire chief from 1965-71. His father, Dwight Fournier, was the chief from 1992-93. His son, Colbey Fournier, is currently an assistant chief with the department, and his daughter, Elin Fournier, is a dispatcher. Chief Fournier’s wife, Laurie White, is a retired lieutenant from Berkley Fire.

Chief Fournier, who started with the department as a call firefighter in 1984 at the age of 16, believed in leaving things better than when he found them. He did exactly that, as evidenced by his career accomplishments, including orchestrating the Town’s first 24-hour fire, rescue and paramedic coverage. He oversaw the addition of the fire station’s living quarters and multiple new apparatus for the department. He advocated for fire alarms in Town on various commercial buildings and for unprotected Town buildings.

Chief Fournier firmly believed in the tradition of the department’s annual Father’s Day Parade and Muster, a competition that began in the 1950s testing the firefighting skills of local teams.

Chief Fournier is a past president of the Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association and has held numerous roles in the Berkley Fire Association.

One of the biggest incidents during his career was a school bus rollover crash on Route 24 in December 2018. Chief Fournier oversaw the effort that resulted in the transportation of 30 patients to five hospitals in two states in 30 minutes.

Deputy Chief Jason Perry will serve as the interim chief for the department until a permanent replacement is announced.

###

Berkley Fire Chief Scott Fournier, center, was honored by the department as he entered retirement. (Photo courtesy Berkley Fire and Rescue Department)

Berkley Fire Chief Scott Fournier was honored by the department as he entered retirement. (Photo courtesy Berkley Fire and Rescue Department)

Berkley Fire Chief Scott Fournier, center, was honored by the department as he entered retirement. (Photo courtesy Berkley Fire and Rescue Department)

Berkley Fire Chief Scott Fournier was honored by the department as he entered retirement. (Photo courtesy Berkley Fire and Rescue Department)