Our HistoryThe New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs was organized and held its first meeting on Thursday, April, 6 1933 at the Eagle Hotel in Concord. The temporary chairman who presided over this meeting was Chief H.J. Monahan of the Berlin Fire Department. A motion was made and seconded that: "The organization would be known as The New Hampshire Fire Chiefs Club, and the purpose of which shall be to discuss the best methods to prevent and extinguish fires and such other matters of interest of the fire service from time to time bring to our attention and also to promote social and fraternal intercourse”. The Motion carried. The first slate of officers was elected and took their place at this meeting. They included: President: Chief H.J. Monahan of Berlin 1st Vice President: Chief C.M. Nash of Dover 2nd Vice President: Chief E.B. Riley of Keene Secretary and Treasurer: Chief Albert Melendy of Nashua Sergeant at Arms: Chief Harry D. Hilchey of Bedford Board of Directors: Chief C.H. French of Manchester Chief W.T.Happny of Concord Chief A.W. Spring of Laconia Chief W.F. Woods of Portsmouth Chief Fred M. Sargent of Sunapee
Also at this meeting the members voted to hold bi-monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month and established the initial "entrance fee” being the amount of $1.00 and yearly dues being $2.00. There were 92 members who signed up to join the "club” and a motion was made and seconded to place all their names on file as charter members of the New Hampshire Fire Chiefs Club. The gavel used today by the association president was presented to the "club” by the Berlin Firemen’s Relief association. Their Secretary, Mr. Chyle presented it to the "club” as a thank you to show their appreciation in having their chief elected as the first president. |