Rochester NH Fire Department

09/03/2026

🎉 Celebrating 20 Years of Service! 🚒

Please join us in congratulating Captain Micah Ruel on reaching an incredible milestone — 20 years of service with the Rochester Fire Department!

For the past two decades, Micah has dedicated himself to serving the City of Rochester, our department, and our community. We are grateful for his commitment and leadership throughout his career.

Congratulations, Captain Ruel, and thank you for 20 years of dedicated service!

08/17/2026

For Immediate Release: Press Release for 260 Chesley Hill Rd - Structure Fire.

08/03/2026

For the month of August, please join us in congratulating the following RFD members on their dedication and service to the Lilac City!

Captain Micah Ruel - 20 years
Firefighter Matthew Woodbury - 9 years
Firefighter Brooklynn Fairchild - 3 years

07/16/2026

Beginning Friday, July 17, 2026, the Rochester Fire Department will begin operating from temporary locations as construction starts on the renovation of the Central Fire Station at 37 Wakefield Street. While emergency response services will not be affected, some administrative services will operate....

07/11/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Rochester Fire Department Responds to Apartment Building Fire on North Main Street

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the Rochester Fire Department was
dispatched to 119 North Main Street for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and fire coming from a first-floor apartment in a three-
story, six-unit apartment building. A box alarm was requested, and crews immediately initiated an aggressive interior fire attack while additional firefighters conducted primary searches of the
building to ensure all occupants had safely evacuated.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, successfully containing it to the apartment of
origin. Although the fire was confined to a single unit, smoke spread throughout the building,
affecting all six apartments. The fire was declared under control at approximately 2:20 p.m.
Frisbie EMS evaluated one resident at the scene for a medical issue and transported the individual
to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.

Due to extensive smoke damage, all six apartments were deemed uninhabitable. Approximately 10 residents were displaced, and the American Red Cross responded to assist those affected by the fire.

Mutual aid assistance was provided at the scene by the Dover, Farmington, and Somersworth Fire
Departments. The Milton, Berwick, and Barrington Fire Departments provided station coverage for the City of Rochester during the incident.

Following an investigation by the Rochester Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office, the cause of
the fire has been classified as undetermined.

The Rochester Fire Department would like to thank our mutual aid partners, Frisbie EMS, and the American Red Cross for their assistance during this incident.

07/09/2026

For the months of June & July, please join us in congratulating the following RFD members on their dedication and service to the Lilac City!

June:
Firefighter James C**n - 6 years

July:
Captain Eric Lenzi - 26 years
Captain Joseph Riley - 10 years
Lieutenant Paul Haggenmiller - 15 years
Firefighter Colin Hickman - 7 years
Firefighter Jeremy Bacon - 5 years
Firefighter Richard McCarville - 5 years

06/28/2026

Today, the Rochester Fire Department mourns the passing of retired Firefighter Doug Welch.

Doug proudly served the City of Rochester from 1988 until his retirement in 2013, dedicating 25 years to protecting the citizens of Rochester.

Doug was one of a kind. He was loud, salty, gruff, and never one to back down from speaking his mind. If you worked with Doug, you always knew where you stood, and that’s exactly how he liked it.

Doug expected firefighters to earn their place. His gruff demeanor, sharp wit, and relentless sense of humor challenged younger firefighters, making them tougher, more resilient, and ultimately better firefighters. While they may not have appreciated it at the time, many look back now realizing just how much they learned from him.

Doug also had a knack for pushing the envelope and keeping officers on their toes. He wasn’t afraid to test the boundaries, challenge the status quo, or stir the pot. This was simply part of who Doug was, and at the same time, he left the members of the Rochester Fire Department with countless stories that will continue to be shared around the kitchen table for years to come.

Doug’s legacy is one of toughness, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to the fire service. His impact on the Rochester Fire Department extends far beyond the years he served.

On behalf of the Rochester Fire Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Doug’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of serving beside him.

Thank you, Doug, for 25 years of dedicated service to the Rochester Fire Department and the citizens of Rochester. You left your mark on this department, and you will not be forgotten.

06/24/2026

06/12/2026

Yesterday, members of C Shift spent more than 12 hours in the Town of Berwick assisting with a large scrap metal fire.

Rochester Fire’s Tanker 7 was assigned to the water shuttle operation throughout the incident, transporting thousands of gallons of water to the scene. Engine 2 established a draft site and supplied water to the tanker shuttle, helping maintain a continuous water supply for firefighting operations.

Incidents of this size require a tremendous amount of coordination and teamwork between departments. We are proud to assist our mutual aid partners whenever needed.

06/12/2026

This week, Assistant Chief Pageau and Captain Riley completed the 5-day Blue Card Train-the-Trainer Program in Portsmouth, NH.

The program prepares instructors to coach and develop incident commanders through realistic fireground scenarios while promoting standardized command practices. This training strengthens Rochester Fire Department’s ability to provide high-quality command training and leadership development in-house.

Congratulations to both on this accomplishment and their commitment to professional development and firefighter safety.