North Adams Fire Chief Announces Retirement

press release from the City Of North Adams

North Adams Fire Chief Steve Meranti has announced his retirement from the North Adams Fire Department after more than 33 years of service to the City of North Adams.

Chief Meranti and North Adams mayor Tom Bernard made the announcement at a press conference held Tuesday, November 24, in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall. Meranti, who has served as North Adams’s Fire Chief since 2003, will retire from service with the North Adams Fire Department on January 26, 2021.

Meranti said:

“This has been the most rewarding career that anyone could ask for. I loved being the city’s fire chief for the past 17 years and thank mayors Bernard, Alcombright, and Barrett and the residents of North Adams for their faith and support over those years. I have also been fortunate to have led the most dedicated and professional group of firefighters anyone could hope for. Most importantly it would not have been possible without the love and support of my family.”

Mayor Bernard said:

“I am grateful to Chief Meranti for his service and leadership in the fire department and as the city’s emergency management director. His commitment to protecting life and property in the City of North Adams is exemplary, as is his genuine care and concern for the firefighters under his command, He has been a trusted colleague, advisor, and member of my leadership team for nearly three years and has gone above and beyond during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As he retires from city service and from the work with his public safety family, I know he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Tammy, and his children, and grandchildren.”

Meranti began his career in the City of North Adams in May, 1987, when he was appointed assistant wire inspector. He became wire inspector in 1992, and also served as a firefighter and later captain in the Clarksburg Fire Department. Meranti was appointed a North Adams reserve firefighter in 2003. He was promoted to fire director, the equivalent of fire chief, in 2003, and formally designated as North Adams Fire Chief in 2019.

Meranti was instrumental in coordinating and leading the response to tropical storms Irene and Sandy, the collapse of the communication tower above the Hairpin turn, a fire in Clarksburg State Forest, and other fire and emergency situations in the city. During his tenure as chief the North Adams Fire Department secured over $4 million in firefighter safety and prevention, emergency management and rescue, and 911 response grants.

In 2015 Chief Meranti was part of the local team that received an Individual and Community Preparedness Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and was recognized by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) as Emergency Management Director (EMD) of the Year.

Mayor Bernard expects to launch the formal search for Meranti’s replacement in December.