Lakes Region Mental Health recognizes Laconia fire chief for community risk reduction efforts

PLYMOUTH — Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert believes he works in the department of “human beings.”

It’s this thinking which landed him the 2026 Peter Harris Award, bestowed by Lakes Region Mental Health Center, during their annual meeting on Oct. 27. Each year, the award recognizes outstanding citizens for their contributions to furthering educational opportunities and conversations around supporting mental health.

“Chief Joubert received several nominations for the Pete Harris Award,” said Beth Vachon, chief development and public relations officer for LRMHC. “Senia LaForte, director of residential services, said in her nomination, ‘Tim’s community education initiatives have been an asset to our program operations, particularly in residential services. His skillset in this area is exemplified by the presentations on fire safety that he’s provided to the patients at our community residence, Passage House. During these visits, Tim not only keeps our residents engaged, but he also communicates with them in a way that respects their varied abilities and preserves dignity.’”

The award honors Dr. George “Pete” Harris, who recognized the need to educate people about mental illness. He formed a small organization, which in 1966, became Lakes Region Mental Health Center.

Joubert was humbled by the award.

“It was an honor to receive the award. That’s what our job is in the fire department, to make a difference in someone’s lives,” he said. “I accepted it on behalf of the department.”

Throughout his time at the helm of the Lakes Region’s largest fire department, Joubert is aware of the mental health crisis plaguing the nation. He shared a statistic: 25% of adult Americans deal with some sort of mental health issue at some point in their life.

He knows while the negative stigma associated with mental health is dwindling, it’s still present.

“Mental health had this negative stigma. We're not necessarily mental health advocates, we're human being advocates,” Joubert said. “Mental health illness is no different than any other illness. They’re all the same. It’s a medical issue.”

In Laconia, his team of first responders take a proactive approach to community health, often seen meeting residents where they are.

“One of the biggest things the fire department does is community risk reduction, and we accomplish that by public education,” Joubert said. “The department, as a whole, takes pride in going out and working with the community on issues that are around the area.”

These programs and initiatives are making a lasting impact in the Lakes Region. LRMHC acknowledged that at the annual meeting.

“Tim makes an impact on our agency, and supports mental health by serving as an active community leader, sitting at tables in the community, and participating in discussions to help bridge the gaps for some of our most vulnerable community members,” Vachon said.

Previous winners of the Pete Harris Award include gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington (2020) and former Laconia Mayor Andrew Hosmer in 2017.

Vachon said the annual meeting was “well attended.”

The event’s keynote speaker was New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn. In addition to Joubert’s award, Executive Councilor Joe Kenney received the Helen Holbrook Leadership and Service Award for “leading by example and giving of themselves to strengthen the cause of mental health in the Lakes Region.”

“The theme of this year’s Lakes Region Mental Health Center Annual Meeting is ‘For Those Who Serve.’ I can’t think of anyone that embodies service more than Joe Kenney,” said Maggie Pritchard, Lakes Region Mental Health Center chief executive officer, and NH Community Behavioral Health Association president, in a pre-event press release.

“He’s a U.S. Marine Corp veteran with decades of service, has worked in support of support drug and alcohol prevention programs, and served as the primary sponsor of the NH Purple Heart Trail Bill among others, and so much more.”

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.