Scranton Fire Chief John Judge Will Retire
Fire Chief John Judge will conclude his tenure with the Scranton Fire Department on January 2, 2027.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
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Scranton Fire Chief John Judge has announced he will step down from his post on January 2, 2027, after more than 24 years of service to the city. Judge will transition to a new role as the fire director for the Centre Region Council of Governments.
Why it matters
Approaching retirement eligibility, Judge stated that he believes a fresh perspective for the Scranton department is beneficial following his six-year leadership tenure. He will move to manage a fire protection program covering 93,000 residents across a 104-square-mile area.
The Scranton Fire Department manages 141 personnel across seven fire stations, while Judge's new jurisdiction serves a population of 93,000. The new fire director role offers an annual salary range between $119,000 and $130,000.
The players
John Judge
John Judge is the departing Scranton fire chief who has served the city for over two decades.
Scranton Fire Department
The Scranton Fire Department is the municipal agency responsible for fire protection and emergency services in Scranton.
Centre Region Council of Governments
The Centre Region Council of Governments manages regional services including fire protection programs across multiple municipalities.
The details
Judge was appointed as Scranton fire chief on November 30, 2020, following a career that began as a Scranton police officer in December 2001. During his tenure, he oversaw the implementation of a drone program and a GPS-based alerting system to enhance emergency scene response.
Timeline
December 2001: John Judge began his career with the City of Scranton.
November 30, 2020: John Judge was appointed to serve as the Scranton fire chief.
October 2026: Judge plans to visit State College to begin shadowing staff.
Late November 2026: Judge expects to begin his new fire director role.
January 2, 2027: Judge will serve his final official day with the Scranton Fire Department.
Market Landscape
This transition marks a shift in leadership between municipal departments as fire officials increasingly move toward regional administrative structures. Such movements follow a broader trend of consolidating fire protection programs to better serve larger, multi-jurisdictional areas like the 104-square-mile region surrounding State College.
Residents should anticipate a transition in command for the 141-person department following Judge's departure in early 2027. This change in leadership may result in updates to operational protocols or administrative priorities for local emergency services.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in emergency services often reflect a push for regional administrative efficiency rather than purely local management. City officials and residents should prepare for a period of adjustment as the department shifts toward new oversight.
What happens next
John Judge is scheduled to begin shadowing in State College in October 2026, followed by a formal start in his new role in late November 2026 and his final day in Scranton on January 2, 2027.
Further reading
For more updates on leadership in the city, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WVIA Public Media.
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