Portsmouth Fire Chief To Retire, Lead MA Fire Department

Portsmouth's Fire Chief Jeffrey P. Lynch will retire at the end of this month and prepare for another leadership role in his longstanding, firefighting career. 

"It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter of my intent to retire effective June 30, 2012," Lynch writes in a letter to the town administrator. The letter is dated May 25. 

"While I am saddened to be leaving the service to the town of Portsmouth, I am excited that a challenging new opportunity has been presented to me as the fire chief in a nearby Massachusetts town." 

Lynch has been hired as fire chief of the Medway Fire Department in Medway, MA. 

"I wish to thank the people of Portsmouth for the privilege of serving them proudly for 25 years," Lynch writes. "I would also like to thank the members, both past and present, of the for their dedicated service and steadfast support.

"Additionally, I wish to thank all of the other town departments. We have always, without exception, operated as a team to accomplish our missions. Their dedication and professionalism exemplifies public service." 

Lynch has served as chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department for the past five and a half years. He previously served as deputy chief for three years.

He has been a member of the department for 25 years. 

During his tenure, Lynch says he saw incredible developments within the department, including meeting national certification levels for firefighters through training.

Lynch also helped raise funds annually for , along with members of the department. 

He also recalls some of the most memorable fires in town, including the fire at Louis Escobar's barn and the pier fire on Terminal Road. 

Above all else, however, Lynch says he will miss the department's camaraderie. 

"I'm going to miss the guys in the department. We have a great group of guys that work for me," Lynch says. "I'm confident with the command staff we have now that the department will continue to move forward." 

Lynch's last day of work with the department will be June 29.