Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid members receive awards

CONCORD — Members of the New Hampshire Emergency Dispatchers Association met for their annual banquet and awards ceremony at the Common Man restaurant in Concord. The annual meeting is held yearly in conjunction with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. On behalf of Chief Jonathan Goldman, LT. Erin Hannafin, LT. Ricky Fowler, Dispatcher Brian Searles and Dispatcher Kellie Regan were nominated for and received the 2021 “Team of the Year” award. This is a new award that will be presented annually to a group or team for exceptional professionalism in the field of public safety communications. This award acknowledges the special contributions of a group or team whose daily performance of their duties is an inspiration or example for others.

On June 16, 2021, at approximately 1400 Lt. Hannafin and Dispatcher Regan received a call for an odor of gas in a nursing home on Court St. in Laconia immediately followed by calls for odors of gas in the building at the Laconia Police Station and Concord Hospital-Laconia. It was during this time that Lt. Fowler and Dispatcher Searles responded to the communications center to assist with the increased call volume. During the next four hours the team at LRMFA was able to prioritize, dispatch, and manage multiple resources including coordinating with public utility services while they were responding to and operating at nearly 57 simultaneous calls for emergency services.

Additionally, NHEDA President Nicholas Bridle presented LT. Hannafin with the 2022 president’s award. This award was presented to Lt. Hannafin for her tireless dedication to NHEDA and its training programs. Lt. Hannafin was vital in organizing the last several NHEDA training events including the virtual training conference that was held during the during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Bridle stated that “Lt. Hannifin’s commitment to training and the organization not only helped NHEDA thrive during the pandemic but will help guide the organization into future”. Lt. Hannafin is also a member of the NHEDA board of directors.

For any additional information or inquiries please feel free to contact Lt. Kevin Nugent Community Relations/Public Information Officer at 603-528-9111 or knugent@lrmfa.org.