KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) After nearly four decades of service, Chief Joseph Sangermano will retire from Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid next month.

Sangermano, who began as a part-time dispatcher in 1988, went on to serve in nearly every role within the organization, including Captain and Deputy, before being appointed Chief Coordinator in 2018. His last day will be Oct. 17, according to a news release.

Over the course of his 37-year career, Sangermano handled calls ranging from routine medical emergencies to large-scale, multi-alarm and multi-state incidents. He also provided field support, often working through severe weather and difficult conditions to maintain and install radio equipment.

Beyond the calls, Sangermano oversaw several major advancements in technology and operations, including upgrades to radio and alerting systems, multiple improvements to the dispatch center, and the implementation of the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, the release said. He has also helped lead the current transition to a new CAD program and an updated radio system.

Colleagues describe Sangermano as calm under pressure, quietly humorous, and deeply committed to the mission of Fire Mutual Aid. His leadership and presence, they said, will be missed both within the Keene dispatch center and across the region he has served in southwestern New Hampshire and southeastern Vermont.