KEENE, N.H. – The board of directors for the Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Winn as the organization’s permanent chief coordinator. Winn steps into the permanent position after previously serving as interim chief coordinator.
Chief Winn brings more than 33 years of extensive public safety, emergency response, and crisis management experience to the role. His proven track record in organizational leadership, community engagement, and multiagency collaboration will be instrumental in guiding the communications center and the mutual aid system into the future.
Before joining Fire Mutual Aid, Winn served as the chief of department for the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills (COMM) Fire Department in Massachusetts from 2013-2024. Prior to that, he served the Greenfield, Mass., Fire Department for 18 years, rising through the ranks from call firefighter to fire chief, a position he held from 2008-2013. Additionally, he served as a hazardous materials technician for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 25 years.
“Chief Winn’s diverse background across fire, EMS, and hazardous materials operations, combined with his longstanding commitment to public safety administration, makes him the ideal leader for this organization,” said Ken March, president of Fire Mutual Aid. “During his time as interim chief coordinator, he demonstrated the adaptability and forward-thinking vision necessary to support our 74 member communities.”
Throughout his career, Winn has been a dedicated advocate for the fire service on a regional and state level. He served as the president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) from 2021-2022, and has held board positions with the Southeastern Massachusetts Homeland Security Council, the Barnstable County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Franklin County Fire Chiefs Association.
Winn holds a master’s degree in public administration from Anna Maria College, a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an associate’s degree in fire science technology from Greenfield Community College. He is also a 2011 graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s chief fire officer program.
“I am honored to accept the permanent role of chief coordinator,” said Winn. “Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid has a proud history of providing critical dispatch and mutual aid coordination to our member departments. I look forward to continuing our work alongside our dedicated dispatchers, staff, and the fire and EMS chiefs of our member communities to ensure the highest level of emergency preparedness and response.”