Dave Emanuel is a career Fire Chief in Durham, New Hampshire, serving the Town of Durham, NH, and the University of New Hampshire (UNH). He has over 30 years of career and volunteer fire and EMS experience as a firefighter, company officer, and chief officer, over twenty years in labor-management leadership positions, is an instructor for the NH Fire Academy, and is a nationally recognized leadership speaker.
He is professionally credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, holds a bachelor’s in business administration and civil engineering and a master’s in public administration from the University of New Hampshire, and is a licensed professional engineer.
Chief Emanuel has contributed to the fire service by serving as a Commissioner for the Commission for Professional Credentialing of the CPSE, on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health, and Survival Section (SHSS), and on the Executive Boards of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs and Seacoast Chiefs Fire Officer Mutual Aid District. He has worked with the IAFC Bullying Behavior Prevention Taskforce since 2017 and chaired the Taskforce since 2019.
Dave lives in Stratham with his wife Maria and three children, Cole, Graham, and Elly, who are active in Scouts BSA, outdoor recreation, and music.
We sat down with Dave for a little Q&A so our students could learn more about him and our fire service administration program!
How Did Your Career in Fire Service Begin?
I grew up in Stratham, NH and was involved in the Scouting program which was sponsored by the volunteer fire department. I joined the Fire Department Explorer Post the same year as I became an Eagle Scout in 1986. I joined the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department when I turned 18. I served as a firefighter, lieutenant, and assistant chief, and have been honored as a lifetime member of the organization.
I was hired by the Durham Fire Department as a Call Firefighter in the second semester of my freshman year at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1991, as a career firefighter in 1997, promoted to the rank of Captain in 2008, Assistant Chief in 2015, and Fire Chief in 2018.
Why Should Firefighters Consider Completing Their Bachelor’s Degree?
I completed my undergraduate studies with other traditional college students in a traditional environment. When I returned to UNH for my graduate studies, I was an adult learner. I appreciate the tenacity adult learners demonstrate, returning to school to pursue degrees in higher education. I understand the opportunity cost, not only financially but with family capital, and admire the commitment to excellence. The investment in my education has paid dividends regarding my career advancement, understanding of my field and management, and providing a network required to support my success as a working professional.
I encourage our team at the fire station to continue their professional development and education because our entire organization benefits from their learning and experience. They learn to utilize information and data to make better decisions and to provide services aligned with best management practices in the industry.
What Excited You About the Merge Between Granite State College and the University of New Hampshire?
I was excited to hear about the programs coming together to form the UNH College of Professional Studies because of my long-standing relationship with New Hampshire’s flagship research university. I had outstanding experiences with my undergraduate and graduate coursework and have relied on the foundation of relationships that I built during these studies throughout my career. I am proud to be a UNH graduate, it is a great day to be a Wildcat.
I feel that the expertise of the Granite State College team with the online learning environment combined with the resources and affiliations of UNH can only bolster the quality of instruction to benefit students and heighten the experience of their professional development and education.
Some of my favorite coursework was instructed by working professionals who could introduce practical applications through the program's coursework. I look forward to working with our future leaders through the fire service administration program.