PRESS RELEASE
Keene, NH, April 15, 2024
Keene’s Fire Chief, Donald Farquhar, has resigned from the City to return to his hometown in Connecticut. Chief Farquhar was hired in October of 2021 as Deputy Chief, and he was promoted to Chief in April of 2022. Prior to coming to Keene, he served as General Dynamics Electric Board Chief in Groton, Connecticut, after retiring as Battalion Chief from the Manchester, Connecticut, Fire Department.
Chief Farquhar’s leadership was instrumental in managing Keene Fire Department EMS services during the very difficult COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging time following the closure of Diluzio Ambulance Service. He played a key role in the early phases of streamlining Fire and Code inspections and permitting services and helped bring Rick Wood, Fire Marshal, to the City to continue this important initiative. The Chief has also implemented changes to fire and ambulance capital planning and budgeting which will serve the department and community long into the future. “We have been fortunate to have Chief Farquhar during his time here with the City, and I sincerely appreciate his tireless work ethic,” said Elizabeth Dragon, City Manager. “He has made numerous improvements to the department during his tenure and worked many long days and nights to do so. We are grateful to him for his service.”
Chief Farquhar said, “It has been an honor to serve with the City Manager, Keene’s leadership team, our partners throughout the region, and the officers and members of the department. Working in the Fire and Life Safety industry has always been where I was meant to be, and, in reflection on my career, I have been very fortunate to have had the privilege of working with the most courageous, dedicated, and humble public servants.” He is planning to take a position in Connecticut that will allow for some personal time before starting a doctoral program in the Fall. He added, “Keene is an amazing city, and I am deeply appreciative to have been given an opportunity to serve.”
Deputy Chief Martin will be the officer in charge and will work with the City Manager to create a short-term plan while the City recruits a new Chief.
Contact: City Manager
City of Keene
3 Washington Street, Keene, NH 03431
(603) 357-9804