Lindsay Stromgren Appointed as Fire Chief

Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced on Tuesday (11/26) the appointment of Lindsay Stromgren as the town’s new Fire Chief. The appointment is subject to review by the Town Council and will be considered at its meeting on Monday, December 2nd.  

Stromgren has served in the Amherst Fire Department for 42 years as a student firefighter, a professional firefighter/EMT, captain, and assistant chief. Stromgren grew up in Amherst and now lives in Pelham. He began his work with the Amherst Fire Department as a volunteer member of the Student Force during his first year at the University of Massachusetts. Upon graduating from the University, he transitioned to the part-time Call Force, then became a full-time Career Firefighter/EMT in 1991. After being promoted to Captain in 1998, Stromgren spent the last twenty-two years as the Assistant Chief for Operations and Training. Currently, he is serving as the Temporary Fire Chief. 

“Lindsay Stromgren is the leader who can best guide the Town of Amherst Fire Department in the coming years,” said Bockelman. “Lindsay brings extensive professional firefighting experience in both operations and administration; advanced educational training in fire science; and a strong commitment to maintaining high quality services and aligning the department with the needs, goals, and desires of the Town of Amherst.” 

A graduate of Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, Stromgren earned an associate’s degree from Greenfield Community College in Fire Science Technology and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Geography and in Fire Science Administration. He has obtained his Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Certification from the National Fire Academy and is a Massachusetts Credentialed Fire Chief through a program at the Massachusetts Fire Academy. He also recently completed the staff and command leadership program at the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute.  

“I am excited to begin this next chapter in my decades long career here at the Amherst Fire Department,” said Stromgren. “I look forward to leading our exceptional team as we continue to serve the residents of Amherst.” 

Bockelman added, “Throughout the interview process and through his service as Temporary Fire Chief, Lindsay showcased effective communication skills, as well as a collaborative approach to team and community dynamics. He brings a calm and decisive command presence and understands the challenges facing the department in the future. He has earned the trust and respect of the Firefighter/Paramedics in the department, his professional colleagues, and members of the community.” 

Stromgren’s community work includes serving as the co-chair of the Campus Community Coalition Against High-Risk Drinking, as a member of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a voting member of the Western Massachusetts Regional Interoperability Council. He also serves as a member of the Special Operations Team for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Stromgren is an adjunct faculty member at Greenfield Community College where he teaches classes for the Fire Science program and is on the Fire Science advisory board. 

“We had three extraordinarily strong finalist candidates,” said Bockelman. “I believe that each of the finalists could successfully serve as Fire Chief for the town, making this decision exceedingly difficult. I thank all candidates for their professionalism and presentations during the process.” 

Bockelman thanked the members of the Fire Chief Search Committee for reviewing applications and conducting interviews. The Search Committee was comprised of: 

• (Chair) Jeff Hescock, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst 
• Raymond Conway, M.D., Medical Director, Urgent and Occupational Health at Cooley Dickinson Hospital 
• Jeanne Horrigan, Amherst Council on Aging chair 
• Ryan Pease, Town of Ludlow Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director 
• Catharine Porter, Amherst Personnel Board member 
• Camille Theriaque, Amherst Director of Community Responders 
• Melissa Loiodice-Walker, Amherst Director of Human Resources 

The Search Committee reviewed eighteen applications and invited three candidates to participate in interviews. As part of the final review, the three finalists met with members of the Fire Department in independent open conversations. 

A swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled for a later date, with details to be announced in the coming weeks on the town’s website.: www.amherstma.gov