After 40 Years On The Lanesborough Fire Department, Chief Durfee To Step Down

Chief Charlie Durfee of The Lanesborough Volunteer Fire Department after a long career, is calling it quits.

"After being on the fire department for 40 and a half years, 17 years as Chief, I'm just burnt out, it's just time to retire and move on", said Durfee.

Thursday, Sept. 30 is Durfee's last day. Deputy Chief Jeff Dechaine will take over as interim Chief for the town's volunteer department.

When asked what most he liked about the job, Durfee said, "I loved meeting everybody, I loved going to all the Chief's meetings and meeting all the new Chiefs throughout the state. It's been fantastic, I've made some great friendships. I've loved everything about the job. I'm just at the point where my tank is empty and it's time to call it a career."

The 55-year-old Durfee will still remain in his day job as a foreman for the Town of Lanesborough's Highway Department.

Durfee, who was born and raised in Lanesborough, became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 15. His father joined in 1970, so, in actuality, Durfee has been kicking around the firehouse since the age of 4!

When asked if he had any regrets about telling the town of his plans to retire last month, Durfee simply said, "No."

Lanesborough is one of the many volunteer fire departments in The Berkshires. The town of about 3000 people does not deal with many structure fires; however, medical calls, and automobile accidents, (since Lanesborough deals with both Rte. 7 and 8), make up most of their call volume.