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Chief James Burkush
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Chief Burkush began his career with Manchester Fire in 1974 with the Fire Explorers Program. He was appointed in May of 1977 and worked throughout the City’s Firehouses before being stationed at Truck Company 1. Firefighter Burkush was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983 an assigned to Engine 11. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Engine 11/Truck 1 when the companies were reorganized and combined. In 1990, Captain Burkush was assigned to Rescue 1 until 1992 when he was promoted to District Chief where he served 15 years. In February 2007, Burkush was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations, Fire Prevention and Communications. On February 19, 2008 James Burkush was nominated and confirmed as Chief of Department.
Chief Burkush holds a B.S. in Fire and Emergency Management from Granite State College. He completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy, and holds Chief Fire Officer Certification from the Commission on Professional Credentialing, Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Chief Burkush serves on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Manchester Chapter. He completed Leadership Greater Manchester and served as President of the Manchester Fireman’s Relief Association and Manchester Association of Fire Supervisors.
Chief Burkush is a son of a firefighter and lifelong resident of South Manchester where he has coached youth soccer and represented his district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
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Deputy Chief Nick Campasano
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Deputy Chief Campasano has been a member of the Manchester Fire Department since 1985. In 1988, he was assigned, as a charter member, to the City’s newly formed heavy rescue/hazardous materials unit, Rescue One. He served as a Lieutenant and ultimately as the Captain of Rescue One until his promotion to District Chief. In February 2007, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, where his duties include overseeing the Department’s Communications Division, IT support, Emergency Medical Services and Training Division.
During his 26 years with the department, he has achieved certification as a NH State Firefighter III, a Hazardous Material Specialist and a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate. Additionally, he is a State instructor for the NH State Fire Academy and an adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Deputy Chief Campasano holds a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Springfield College and A Master of Arts Degree in Homeland Security from the Unites States Naval Postgraduate School. He received the Center for Defense and Security’s Outstanding Thesis Award for his thesis project.
He served two terms as chairman of the NH Hazardous Materials Collaborative. This organization provides for information sharing between and coordination of the state’s regional hazardous materials response teams.
Since September 2001, Deputy Chief Campasano has coordinated the Homeland Security grant funding for the City of Manchester and has co-chaired the City’s Homeland Security planning committee. He is certified in the Department of Homeland Security’s Exercise and Evaluation program (HSEEP) and Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Asset Protection Technical Assistance program (CAPTAP).
Deputy Chief Campasano has served on the NH Governor’s Task Force on Terrorism Committee and the NH Fire Academy Curriculum Development Committee, which was charged with development of terrorism awareness programs for first responders. He currently serves on the NH Governor’s Ad Hoc Committee on Homeland Security Funding.
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Deputy Chief Dan Goonan
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Deputy Chief Goonan has been a member of the Manchester Fire Department since December 1984. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1996, Captain in 2000 and District Chief in 2003. In April of 2008 he was named to his current position as Deputy Chief in charge of Administration, Fire Prevention, Dispatch and Maintenance Divisions.
Deputy Chief Goonan is a NH State Firefighter Level II, Hazard Materials Technician, Fire Service Instructor, and Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician. He also serves as the Manchester Fire Departments Fitness Coordinator and is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Peer Fitness Trainer. He has completed the Management Curriculum at the National Fire Academy.
Deputy Chief Goonan serves as the City of Manchester’s Deputy Director of Emergency Management, coordinating activities in the Emergency Operations Center, Grant Writing, and Seabrook Station Reception Center activities. He has served on City and State committees concerning Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
He holds an A.A. Degree from Granite State College and is currently completing a Bachelors Degree in Public Safety Administration.
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Equipment Maintenance Superintendant Keith Foster
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Keith Foster, a resident in the city of Manchester for the last 24 years, was hired as Equipment Mechanic II on July 21, 2001. After four years he was promoted to Equipment Superintendant. Keith’s responsibilities include maintenance, testing, and repair of the numerous and diverse vehicles and equipment in the department. As the Equipment Superintendent he also serves on the Apparatus Committee.
Keith has been a truck mechanic since 1981 and worked in the truck leasing business until moving to the Fire Department. Over the years he has earned seven Automotive Service Excellence certifications and most recently has earned four Emergency Vehicle Technician certifications. In 2003 Keith became a Certified Firefighter.