Fire Mutual Aid and The Keene Fire Department regret to announce the passing of Retired Chief of Fire Mutual Aid and Retired Call Deputy Chief of the Keene Fire Department, Paul Szoc. Chief Szoc served Fire Mutual Aid for over 30 years and the Keene Fire Department for over 40 years.
Calling hours will be next Wednesday, October 25, from 1600-1900 at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street in Keene. The funeral service will be on Thursday, October 26, 1100 at St. Bernards Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Public Safety personnel are requested to attend in dress uniform if available. Chief Szoc started at Fire Mutual Aid on February 15, 1976, was promoted to Supervisor on September 10, 1987, promoted to Chief on January 1, 2000 and retired on July 27, 2007. During his tenure, Chief Szoc served as Dispatcher and Dispatch Supervisor. As Chief, he was responsible for everything at Fire Mutual Aid, including operations, administration, radio shop, radio transmitter sites as well as response to significant emergencies in the field to assist chief officers of member towns. No matter the position or the task, Chief Szoc always handled things in a modest fashion with a simple desire to help. The same was true as a mentor. Despite his extensive knowledge and experience, his humble personality made him easy and enjoyable to work with. Chief Szoc was responsible for securing many grants for Fire Mutual Aid including a fire safety trailer and the organization's first Computer Aided Dispatch system. Chief Szoc was also active with many state and national organizations governing, directing and advising public safety emergency communications. Those organizations include the NH 911 Commission (Chairman), NH Federation of Mutual Aid Districts, IMSA-Public Safety Advisory Committee (advice and recommendations to the FirstNet Authority), SAFECOM, National Public Safety Telecommunications Council and the NFPA Technical Committee on Public Safety Telecommunicator Professional Qualifications.
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