The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the retirement of Fire Chief Leonard Howard III, whose dedication to the Brattleboro Fire Department and the community it serves extends back to the 1980s. Chief Howard’s retirement becomes effective on Dec. 31, 2024.
“I’m proud to be in the fire service. It’s been the best job in the world,” said Chief Howard. “I’ve enjoyed helping people, and seeing my staff progress and be successful. I think they’re in a good place, and they have a good future ahead of them.”
Chief Howard joined the Brattleboro Fire Department in 1987 as a member of its call staff, a role in which he served for a decade. When he joined, Howard was among about 30 volunteers who helped support career firefighters during major events. Starting in 1988, days after graduating high school, Howard took a job at the Brattleboro Public Works’ Utilities Division.
“I worked there for nine years, but my heart was always with the Fire Department. It was the right time in my life to transition,” he said. He became a career firefighter in 1997, and in the years that followed, sought numerous promotions, earning the rank of Lieutenant in 2001, Captain in 2007, Assistant Chief in 2017, and Fire Chief in 2021.
While rising through the ranks, the Chief’s leadership style was informed by his beginnings as a high school athlete, playing baseball and football.
“I had very disciplined coaches, and I’m thankful for that,” Howard said. “It taught me life lessons: how to set expectations for yourself and how to set expectations for your team. I refer back to that all the time.”
The Chief’s tenure with the department includes numerous accomplishments. Chief Howard was instrumental in leading the career staff to join the International Association of Fire Fighters; he was key in developing the Rental Housing Registry for rental inspections; and, most recently, he led the department through its transition to a municipal model for delivering emergency services.
“Fire service has changed so much since ’87 when I joined, and it’s going to continue to change,” Howard said. “It’s important to get out of the comfort zone and adapt.”
Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter extends his gratitude for the chief’s dedication to the community and to the team at the Fire Department. “Chief Howard is an exceptional leader who has done great things for Brattleboro,” said Potter. “We are grateful for his decades of service and wish him the best in retirement.”
Recruitment for Chief Howard’s successor is underway.
# # #
Date: Nov. 1, 2024
230 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Brattleboro Fire Chief Leonard Howard to Retire on Dec. 31
Date: Nov. 1, 2024
Brattleboro.gov
(802) 251-8151
230 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
