FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Ken March, President
Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid
Phone: (978) 793-0898
Website: www.firemutualaid.com
Southwestern NH Fire Mutual Aid Appoints Michael J. Winn as Chief Coordinator
KEENE, NH — The Board of Directors for the Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Winn as the organization’s permanent Chief Coordinator. Winn steps into the permanent position after previously serving as Interim Chief Coordinator.
Chief Winn brings over 33 years of extensive public safety, emergency response, and crisis management experience to the role. His proven track record in organizational leadership, community engagement, and multi-agency collaboration will be instrumental in guiding the communications center and the mutual aid system into the future.
Before joining Fire Mutual Aid, Winn served as the Chief of Department for the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills (COMM) Fire Department in Massachusetts from 2013 to 2024. Prior to that, he served the Greenfield, MA Fire Department for 18 years, rising through the ranks from call firefighter to fire chief, a position he held from 2008 to 2013. Additionally, he served as a hazardous materials technician for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 25 years.
“Chief Winn's diverse background across fire, EMS, and hazardous materials operations, combined with his long-standing commitment to public safety administration, makes him the ideal leader for this organization,” said Ken March, President of Fire Mutual Aid. “During his time as Interim Chief Coordinator, he demonstrated the adaptability and forward-thinking vision necessary to support our 74 member communities.”
Throughout his career, Winn has been a dedicated advocate for the fire service on a regional and state level. He served as the president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) from 2021 to 2022, and has held board positions with the Southeastern Massachusetts Homeland Security Council, the Barnstable County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Franklin County Fire Chiefs Association.
Winn holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Anna Maria College, a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology from Greenfield Community College. He is also a 2011 graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer program.
"I am honored to accept the permanent role of Chief Coordinator," said Michael Winn. "Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid has a proud history of providing critical dispatch and mutual aid coordination to our member departments. I look forward to continuing our work alongside our dedicated dispatchers, staff, and the fire and EMS chiefs of our member communities to ensure the highest level of emergency preparedness and response."
About Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid
Founded in 1958, SWNHDFMA provides vital fire and EMS emergency dispatch services for 74 member communities in southwestern New Hampshire and southeastern Vermont and pioneered the concept of regional emergency communications in New England. The District covers a geographic area equivalent to the state of Delaware (2,067 sq. mi.) and serves a total population of 157,745. In addition to ensuring the prompt and equitable delivery of fire and EMS services daily, SWNHDFMA dispatches and coordinates resources during natural and technological disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, winter storms, hazardous materials incidents, mass casualty incidents, and terrorist events. In 2025, the center promptly and efficiently handled 26,710 emergency calls.
For more information about the Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid System, please visit firemutualaid.com.
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