Press Release - Amherst Board of Selectmen Vote to Appoint Don Waldron As New Fire Chief

At their meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025, the Amherst Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Don Waldron to the position of Fire Chief, effective October 6, 2025.

A seasoned fire service professional with more than 30 years of public safety experience, Waldron brings deep local roots, statewide leadership, and national-level expertise to the role.

Chief Waldron began his fire service journey as a volunteer firefighter with Amherst Fire in 1997 and was later among the department’s first paid paramedics. His appointment marks a meaningful return to the community that launched his career. He most recently served as a Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic with the Londonderry Fire Department, where he held multiple leadership roles, including EMS Coordinator, Hiring Officer, and Grant Administrator. He has secured and managed over $1.5 million in public safety grants, including funding for new equipment and the hiring of additional personnel.

Waldron has also served as a Program Coordinator and Staff Instructor at the New Hampshire Fire Academy, overseeing instructor certification programs and helping develop statewide and online training for fire service personnel. He is a principal member of the NFPA 1021 Technical Committee, which sets national standards for fire officer qualifications. His professional accolades include two Outstanding Applied Research Awards from the National Fire Academy, where he completed the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program.

Chief Waldron holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire, a Bachelor’s in Fire and Emergency Services Administration, and an Associate Degree in Health Science. He is a certified Instructor III, Fire Officer II, Fire Inspector II, and holds numerous technical and leadership certifications in fire, rescue, and emergency management.

In addition to his operational background, Waldron has a long history of community involvement, including founding the nonprofit Bonded by Fuego, which donates surplus firefighting equipment to departments in Central and South America.

Chief Waldron officially assumes his new role on October 6, 2025