KEENE, NH – Keene’s Fire Chief has resigned from his position and is returning to his hometown.

The City announced Chief Donald Farquhar’s resignation in a news release Monday evening. He was hired in October of 2021 as Deputy Chief and was promoted to Chief in April of 2022.

Farquhar said that it’s been an honor serving the City.

“Keene is an amazing city, and I am deeply appreciative to have been given an opportunity to serve,” he said in the release.

Prior to coming to Keene, he served as General Dynamics Electric Board Chief in Groton Connecticut, after retiring as Battalion Chief from the Manchester, Connecticut Fire Department.

The City said Farquhar’s leadership was instrumental in managing Keene Fire Department EMS services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the “challenging time” following the closure of DiLuzio Ambulance.

Chief Farquhar is also responsible for several changes to fire and ambulance capital planning and budgeting, which the city says will serve the department and community in the years to come.

“We have been fortunate to have Chief Farquhar during his time here with the City and I sincerely appreciate his tireless work ethic,” City Manager Elizabeth Dragon said. “He has made numerous improvements to the department during his tenure and worked many long days and nights to do so. We are grateful to him for his service.”

Deputy Chief Martin will step in as the officer in charge. He’ll work with Dragon to create a short-term plan while the City recruits Farquhar’s replacement.