'It's an honor': Bill McQuillen nominated to be Portsmouth's next fire chief

Ian Lenahan, Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH — Assistant Fire Chief Bill McQuillen is poised to become the city's new fire chief after 32 years with the department.

McQuillen was unanimously nominated by the city Fire Commission Friday, according to Jennifer Mosher-Matthes, who chairs the commission.

McQuillen began his career in Portsmouth in 1990 and is lined up to replace retiring Chief Todd Germain later this summer.

“Obviously it's an honor and it's very humbling at the same time,” McQuillen said. “I’m looking forward to working in a new role with the commission and continuing to give the citizens of the city the best possible fire and EMS protection.”

Bill McQuillen has been nominated to become Portsmouth fire chief after 32 years with the city Fire Department.
Bill McQuillen has been nominated to become Portsmouth fire chief after 32 years with the city Fire Department.

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The three-member Fire Commission met Friday afternoon for an interview with McQuillen, followed by a public session to bring forward the official nomination.

Mosher-Matthes said McQuillen, assistant chief since late 2020, was the only applicant the commission brought forward.

“When you have a good candidate like that in front of you, it needs to be respected,” Mosher-Matthes said.

The commission needs to negotiate a contract with McQuillen before he officially accepts an offer, which would then require City Council approval. McQuillen’s current contract as assistant chief, set to expire in October 2023, called for an annual salary of $113,631, with cost-of-living increases each year.

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'Strong ties to the community'

In his 32-year career, McQuillen has served as a firefighter, lieutenant and captain with the city department, working at all three stations before taking on the assistant chief’s position. McQuillen previously served as the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire, though he stepped aside upon his promotion to assistant fire chief in Portsmouth.

“He really has strong ties to the community, which the commission thinks is really, really important,” Mosher-Matthes said. “He has worked very closely with Chief Germain, who has been wonderful the last two years.”

Germain previously announced he is leaving the department after 28 years on Sept. 1.

Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Bill McQuillen talks to Sen. Maggie Hassan and fellow firefighters about the challenges and victories, such as a water rescue earlier in the day, Friday, April, 9, 2021.
Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Bill McQuillen talks to Sen. Maggie Hassan and fellow firefighters about the challenges and victories, such as a water rescue earlier in the day, Friday, April, 9, 2021.

McQuillen’s nomination comes less than three weeks after Germain informed the Fire Commission about his intention to retire. Germain began his firefighting career with the Durham Fire Department in 1992 and joined the Portsmouth Fire Department two years later as a firefighter/EMT-intermediate.

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Germain was named interim chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department in April 2019 and was unanimously selected by the Fire Commission for the chief’s role that June.

“It’s very humbling to know that I have the confidence of Chief Germain and the commission to take the next step in my career and lead the department,” McQuillen said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH fire chief: Bill McQuillen nominated for job