Keith Richardson Named Concord Firefighter of the Year

CONCORD, NH - The Concord Fire Department held its 2016 awards ceremony on April 8, 2016. Here are the people who were honored and why, as well as photos from the event.

Firefighter of the Year

Firefighter Paramedic , Keith Richardson

Richardson was appointed to the Concord Fire Department on March 15, 2008. Throughout his career, Richardson has developed a reputation as a trustworthy firefighter and paramedic who makes the Concord Fire Department better every day. He is an outstanding firefighter and medical provider. He brings great knowledge and skill to the treatment of his patients and he has often been complimented for his calm demeanor and reassuring manner with patients and their families. He is very well respected by the physicians and staff at Concord Hospital where his advice and opinions are often sought out. His care for his patients goes far beyond taking care of their medical needs.

In 2015, he treated a young woman who was homeless and went to great lengths to find temporary housing for her. He also serves as a preceptor for paramedic students, teaching them not only technical skills, but the great trait of being a compassionate and concerned provider. He represents the department well to our citizens and helps with events such as Market Days and other community events, talking to citizens and representing well the image of the department and its members.

He is constantly finding ways to contribute to the department and has completed a number of carpentry projects at the Heights Fire Station, including building two office workstations, repairing soffits, and building custom base boards for the day room. He has also built a display case so the departmental awards can be prominently showcased in station tours. His enthusiasm very often inspires other Department members to participate in these projects. He is a great example of knowledge and professional attitude and the Department’s core values.

Firefighter Paramedic Keith Richardson is indeed a credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

EMS Citation

Engine Co. 7: Lt. Christopher Andrews, Firefighter David Currier, Firefighter Philip J. Tirrell, Jr.; Ambulance Co. 5: Firefighter/Paramedic John McBride, Firefighter Craig Coleman.

On Sept. 25, 2015, at 1013 hours Engine Co. 7 and Ambulance Co. 5 were dispatched to 8 Loudon Road on a Still Alarm request for medical aid for a report of an unconscious person. Engine 7 arrived four minutes later and found a patient in full cardiac arrest with CPR being performed by the staff of a medical facility. Ambulance 5 arrived and continued care with advanced life support measures, including defibrillation, and the patient regained a pulse and spontaneous respiration prior to arrival at Concord Hospital. Ambulance 5 was able to contact the hospital and arrange for the patient’s direct admission to the cardiac catheterization unit. On Sept. 29, 2015, the patient was discharged and walked out of the hospital with no after effects.

The actions of the first arriving companies resulted in the successful resuscitation of this man under extremely stressful conditions, and both companies responding worked together to provide the most efficient and effective care possible for this patient. The members of Engine Co. 7 and Ambulance Co. 5 were, on that day, indeed a credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

Unit Citation

Concord Fire Alarm: Lead Dispatcher John Marcel, Dispatcher Harold Palmer, III

On May 4, 2015, at 1259 hours the Concord Fire Department Communications Center received a report of a brush fire in the area of Marjorie Swope Park in West Concord. Marcel and Palmer dispatched units to the scene. The incident eventually evolved into a six-alarm response with resources from many capital area departments and the state of New Hampshire battling the fire. As the fire continued to rapidly develop, the Incident Commander requested helicopter air support for water drops and activation of the New Hampshire Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan Task Force system, bringing additional resources from throughout central New Hampshire to the scene.

In total, the fire consumed over 60 acres, burning along Lake View Drive from Long Pond Road to District #5 Road, with units operating on scene for almost 24 hours. Despite the fact that the fire came within 1,000 feet of homes, the incident was resolved with no damage to structures or serious injuries. This was one of the largest brush fires experienced in Concord in many years, requiring extensive coordination to support both ground and aerial firefighting operations and constant vigilance to monitor and respond to incident communications, including the transmission of Maydays from companies operating on the scene which were overrun by fire development. Remarkably, there was also a major third alarm brush fire in the town of Canterbury at the same time, multiplying the complexity that the communications center was facing as Marcel and Palmer simultaneously handled multiple alarm fires in adjacent communities. Despite these challenges, Marcel and Palmer performed admirably, tracking unit status, relaying communications from the command post to field units, responding to requests for resources, and providing timely and effective assistance for the resolution of the incident.

In coordinating the response to this significant incident, Lead Dispatcher John Marcel and Dispatcher Harold Palmer, III were, on that day, indeed a credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

Helping Hand Award

Ms. Cindy Tuttle, RN, Nurse Educator, Concord Hospital

Since 2012, Tuttle has partnered with the Concord Fire Department to provide hands-only CPR training to well over 1,000 participants. She has provided training at the annual Market Days celebration in 2012 and 2013, and the National Night Out celebrations for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Participants in the training have included current Gov. Margaret Hassan and former Gov. John Lynch.

As a result of the efforts of Tuttle and Concord Fire Department members, over 1,000 people in this community are trained and ready to provide lifesaving care in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. Concord has the distinction of being designated as a Heart Safe Community because of the efforts of people like Tuttle.

The gracious assistance of Ms. Cindy Tuttle has brought credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

Helping Hand Award

Lt. Ronald Lowd, Retired, Concord Fire Department

Lowd had a long and distinguished career as a member of the Concord Fire Department, serving the citizens of this City from 1974 until his retirement in 2008. In addition to a long list of professional accomplishments, Lowd also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the annual awards and recognition ceremony for many years. In this role, he continued doing what he had always done through his professional career: working quietly but diligently to make sure that things stayed on track, and bringing a great sense of solemnity to the annual event. As well, he was always a welcome presence for the Committee of Merit, where his history with the event and his willingness to share his expertise were highly valued by Committee members.

At the time of Lowd’s retirement, he was asked to remain as the Master of Ceremonies for one more year, to see the event through a transition to a new Master of Ceremonies. That one year turned into seven, and this department, its members, and the citizens of this community have benefited from Lowd’s generosity and willingness to continue in this role.

The 2015 awards ceremony marks the first time in many years that Lowd is not at the podium. The department is sad to see him fully retire, but deeply grateful to him for his years of service and the great sense of dedication he continues to bring to us.

The gracious assistance of Lieutenant Ronald Lowd, Retired has brought credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

Helping Hand Award

Mr. Gerald P. Bourgeois, Ed. D.

Several years ago, Bourgeois approached the administration of the Concord Fire Department with a proposal to write a history of the department. His proposal was eagerly received, and he began years of research into the department’s history. He spent untold hours in the department museum, at the Concord Public Library, and with retired members conducting exhaustive research. During that time, he became a familiar and welcome presence in the stations and in Fire Headquarters, sharing interesting parts of the Department’s past. He also did a great deal to organize the Department’s collection of historical artifacts. Bourgeois was a featured presenter during the Concord 250 celebration at a well-attended Concord Chats gathering in Fire Headquarters.

In December 2015, Bourgeois’ book, “Wherever Flames May Rage,” was published. The response from the Concord community and the fire service has been remarkable. His book has stirred interest in the department’s past and it has given the entire city of Concord a reason to be proud of its fire department and its long tradition of service to this community. His work is an important contribution to the history of the city and will stand for many decades as the definitive history of the Concord Fire Department.

The gracious assistance of Mr. Gerald Bourgeois has brought credit to the Concord Fire Department and the City of Concord.

Submitted by Concord Fire Chief Dan Andrus.