Firefighters from across New England gathered at the Monadnock Fire Conference for hands-on training and networking aimed at strengthening skills and relationships

By Abigail Ham
The Keene Sentinel

FITZWILLIAM, N.H. — Nearly 100 firefighters gathered this weekend at the Meadowood Drill Yard to hone their craft, build regional ties and exchange knowledge and ideas.

The annual Monadnock Fire Conference, now in its second year, is a rare opportunity for many departments to train together.

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“More than anything, this weekend was about fellowship,” conference organizers said on Facebook. “Firefighters from different places coming together ... to learn from one another, build skills, foster relationships, and remember that the best training environments are the ones free [of] arrogance and full of purpose.”

It’s also an opportunity for members of small-town departments, most of whom are volunteers, to get access to a higher level of training than is typically available at home.

The conference’s inaugural edition last year was the brainchild of Keene firefighters Dan Nowill and Jake Poulin, as part of a plan to reinvigorate regional training at The Drill Yard.

The training ground, which is managed by a board of local fire personnel, had gone quiet after decades as the region’s leading fire school.

This year’s three-day conference featured speakers Capt. Dave Quick of the Manchester Fire Department, who spoke about being an engine boss, and New Britain, Conn., Deputy Chief Nick Papa, who presented on coordinated ventilation and improving survivability.

Other instructors included Tim Papp of the South Windsor [Vt.] Fire Department; Dave Dumas and Brad Riley of Concord Fire; Michael Goldstein of Derry Fire and the N.H. Fire Academy; and Keene’s Dean Ericson, Henry Wall and Jake Poulin.

Participating departments hailed from as far as Cabot, Vt ., and North Smithfield, R.I. Local departments included Alstead , Fitzwilliam , Hancock , Keene , North Walpole , Peterborough , Rindge , Stoddard , Swanzey and Troy .

The conference was supported by Holman Contracting & Landscaping Materials, Big E Logging, Servpro Team Paul, Rosenbauer, Strategic Safety Dynamics, 190 Leatherworks, HEN Nozzles, Wolf Rock Construction and Fire, and Fire Tech & Safety

What’s the most valuable training event you’ve attended, and what lesson did you bring back to your department?

© 2026 The Keene Sentinel (Keene, N.H.).
Visit www.sentinelsource.com.
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