Bedford Fire Department Chief Jon Wagner Retiring, DeWayne Turpen Named New Chief

(BEDFORD) – June 1 will mark a transition in leadership at the City of Bedford as Jon Wagner, the Bedford Fire Chief, begins his retirement.


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Retiring Bedford Fire Department Chief Jon Wagner
Chief Wagner has been a member of the Bedford Fire Department for over 40 years and has served as the Fire Chief for the last nine years.
Mayor Girgis shared that “Jon has been an incredible member of Bedford’s leadership team. I can’t thank him enough for his hard work, commitment, and faithfulness. His work at the Fire Department has been extraordinary and I will be forever grateful for all that he has done to unify the Fire Department and help me in my role as Mayor. I simply don’t know what I would have done without him. He will be greatly missed.”
In preparation for his June 1 retirement date, Chief Wagner and Mayor Girgis spent a great deal of time discussing who his successor should be. Chief Wagner spoke about his career at the Bedford Fire Department, as well as his successor.
“I have been with the Bedford Fire Department forty years and 26 days, but who is counting. I dedicated my life in public safety in 1976 as an EMT with the Lawrence County Ambulance service. I came to work at the Bedford Fire Department in May of 1979. First, A special thank you to my friend Mayor Shawna Girgis, without her much would not have been accomplished, and to the Board of Works, the Bedford City Council, and the Clerk Treasurer’s Office, for believing in our goals, policies and our efforts to protect and serve the citizens of Bedford, and entrusting me to see this through. With so many years invested and experience, I wholeheartedly recommended DeWayne Turpen to serve as the next Fire Chief because of his demonstrated ability as a fireman, capability in working with city and state officials, as well as his administrative experience. I am so glad Mayor has accepted my recommendation.”
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New Bedford Fire Chief DeWayne Turpen
DeWayne began his career at the Bedford Fire Department in 1988 where he started as a probationary firefighter in fire suppression and rescue. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain before he assumed the role as the local Fire Inspector. DeWayne has served on numerous boards and commissions, as well as serving as the acting chief during times when Chief Wagner is away from the fire station.
Mayor Girgis shared, “DeWayne has demonstrated his firefighting and leadership skills, as well as his sincere commitment to serving the citizens of Bedford over the last 31 years. Given his exemplary record of service, level of commitment to the fire department, community, and proven leadership abilities, I am very pleased to announce that he will be Bedford’s next Fire Chief”.
DeWayne resides in Bedford with his wife Sarah and three children Derek, Garrett, and Colin. He will assume the role of Fire Chief beginning June 1, 2019, immediately following Chief Wagner’s retirement. His swearing in ceremony will take place on Friday, June 7, at Noon at the Bedford Fire Department Headquarters.

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