Former Joplin Fire Chief named to head Western Taney County Fire District

(From the Western Taney County Fire District)

Western Taney County Fire District is pleased to announce that Assistant Chief Jim Furgerson was sworn in as the new Fire Chief of Western Taney County Fire District on November 19, 2025. 

Chief Furgerson began his fire service as a volunteer firefighter before starting his career with Joplin Fire Department in 2001, rising through the ranks to become Joplin’s Fire Chief in 2015. 

After six years as Fire Chief, he retired and joined Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency. 

In 2021, he joined Western Taney County Fire District as the Assistant Chief of Prevention. Chief Furgerson has demonstrated a passion for servant leadership and community service, and possesses a wealth of experience that has prepared him to lead the Western Taney County Fire Protection District into the future.

On November 18, Western Taney County Fire Protection District celebrated the retirement of Fire Chief Chris Berndt after 36 years of dedicated service to the community, including 31 years as Fire Chief. Chief Berndt’s steadfast leadership, commitment to firefighter training, and devotion to the citizens of Western Taney County have left a lasting impact on the Fire District. We extend our sincere gratitude to Chief Berndt for his decades of service and his unwavering dedication to the firefighters and residents he proudly served.

We congratulate both Chiefs and thank them for their service.