Sophia Keshmiri
The Keene Sentinel, N.H.
(TNS)
Keene City Manager Elizabeth Dragon has promoted interim Fire Chief Jason Martin to the permanent position, which became official on Sunday.
“I think that with the positive feedback I’ve received from the [fire department], his time here at the city, and all of the wonderful work that he’s done … he was an easy decision for me to make,” Dragon said.
Martin has more than 25 years of experience serving the Elm City through the fire department, which includes tenures as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, paramedic, operations fire lieutenant and operations fire captain, according to a news release from the city. Most recently, he served as deputy fire chief beginning in September 2023, and held the position until he became the interim fire chief last April upon predecessor Donald Farquhar’s departure.
“I feel very honored and humbled to be able to lead the department,” Martin said.
When asked what made him want to take on the role, the 48-year-old Surry resident said he loves the work and he loves Keene. “I really do care about the city of Keene. [The] city of Keene has been very good to me. It’s a special place … all I really want to do is to have that opportunity to help the city that I love.”
And Martin thinks the institutional knowledge he’s garnered since his first post with the Keene Fire Department in 1998 makes him well-suited for the position. “I’ve seen things done well here. I’ve seen things that didn’t work, and then … I really do care about each and every person here,” he said.
“I take a personal interest in the employees … that’s really important to me, is that people feel valued and that they know they’re part of the team, and know that they’re [a] key piece, and that we’re going to work together. And I really…love being part of the team. I love building teams, and we have a great team here,” he added.
Martin’s team comprises 44 staff members, plus a small group of individuals holding senior positions, and fields roughly 15 to 20 calls every 24 hours, he said.
His former position — deputy fire chief — has been offered to Gregory Seymour, who became interim deputy fire chief when Martin became interim chief, according to Dragon. “We are tentatively working out those details,” she said.
“Jason and Greg will bring some needed stability in the leadership roles. And I know that’s something that everyone is looking forward to,” Dragon noted.
Martin’s appointment comes roughly four months after the city announced former Chief Donald Farquhar’s abrupt departure in mid-April.
In May, via a right-to-know request, The Sentinel obtained a redacted investigative report into his conduct that found “credible evidence” Farquhar had made derogatory comments about city staff and members of the public.
The finalized report, written for the city by Nashua attorney Thomas Closson, was dated April 26, 11 days after the city announced Farquhar’s resignation. Speaking to a reporter, Farquhar said he did not remember making offensive comments about a female city employee and denied that comments in a text exchange included in the report were his.
Emphasizing that he was not asked to step down nor told he’d be fired, Farquhar said he felt his only option was to step down.
Dragon didn’t consider anybody else than Martin to succeed him.
“The last several months gave Jason, the department, and me time to determine if he should assume the permanent role. His time as acting chief and his last 25yrs in the department was his job interview,” Dragon said in an email Monday.
“During his time as acting fire chief, I’ve gotten great feedback from the department, union and non-union employees that have been pleased with him being in that role,” she told the Sentinel.
And of his 25-plus years with the department, she said, “he’s well liked, and over that period of time, he has demonstrated, really, his ability to lead and work with the team.”
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