KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene Deputy Fire Chief Gregory Seymour will take over as chief of the Keene Fire Department next month, bringing more than 20 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services to the position.

The City of Keene announced Friday that Seymour will become fire chief effective Sept. 1. He has been with the department since 2014, when he joined as a firefighter/paramedic.

Seymour has held a series of increasingly senior positions during his time with the department, including lieutenant/training officer, lieutenant of operations, captain/shift commander, acting deputy fire chief and, most recently, deputy fire chief of operations.

City Manager Elizabeth Ferland said Seymour’s experience within the department and his familiarity with its operations made him well positioned to take over the leadership role.

“Greg has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Keene Fire Department, its members, and the community they serve,” Ferland said.

Among the priorities identified for Seymour’s first year are improving communication within the department and between the Fire Department and city management, as well as creating greater consistency in standards and expectations among the department’s shifts.

Ferland said Seymour has already been involved in developing and updating those standards and will continue that work as chief in collaboration with the department’s deputy chief and officers.

The new chief’s responsibilities as deputy chief have included overseeing emergency response operations, staffing, personnel development, readiness and implementation of department policies. He has also worked on strategic planning, budgets and grants, staffing analysis and long-term planning for fire apparatus and equipment.

Seymour has been particularly involved in the department’s recent staffing expansion. Since 2025, he has helped oversee the addition of eight firefighters, resulting in two additional firefighters being assigned to each shift.

His work has also focused on incident management, firefighter safety and coordination with city departments, labor representatives and public safety agencies throughout the region.

Seymour said he was honored to be chosen to lead the department.

“It is a privilege to lead a department whose members I trust, admire, and deeply respect,” Seymour said. “Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment have shaped my career and remain the driving force behind the department.”

He said he intends to build on the department’s history while working to strengthen organizational trust and develop future leaders.

Before joining the Keene Fire Department, Seymour worked in emergency medical services throughout the region. His previous positions include critical care paramedic at Cheshire Medical Center, paramedic with Rescue Inc. and firefighter/paramedic with the Brattleboro Fire Department.

He holds an associate degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University, a Critical Care Paramedic Certificate from Creighton University and a Paramedic Certificate from Greenfield Community College.

Seymour is a New Hampshire Level III firefighter and hazardous materials technician, as well as a nationally registered and New Hampshire-licensed paramedic.

His appointment followed a competitive selection process. The interview panel included Keene City Councilors Powers and Chadbourne; Williston, Vermont, Fire Chief Collette; Keene Police Chief Steve Stewart; Human Resources Director Darcy Newport; and Deputy City Managers Rebecca Landry and Andy Bohanon.

Seymour will succeed current Jason Martin, who is referenced in the city’s announcement as a member of the selection panel.

 Gregory Seymour will become Keene’s next fire chief Sept. 1 after more than a decade with the department and 20 years in emergency services.

Photo Caption: Keene Deputy Fire Chief Gregory Seymour will become the city’s next fire chief effective Sept. 1, 2026.