NASHUA, N.H. — Nashua Fire Rescue held its annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, honoring firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The ceremony took place at the Nashua Firefighters Memorial at the intersection of Concord and Manchester streets.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte, Mayor Jim Donchess and Fire Chief Steve Buxton spoke at the event. Current and retired department members, families of fallen firefighters and Nashua residents attended.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you do for each one of us,” Ayotte said. “For generations, the men and women of Nashua Fire Rescue have answered the call when their neighbors needed them the most. They have run toward danger when everyone else was running away. They have protected our homes and businesses.”
Donchess thanked firefighters who served the city and recognized Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Telgin, whose name was added to the memorial.
“Today, we are remembering and honoring those who have fallen and those who have passed away,” Donchess said. “Deputy Chief Glenn Telgin, who is being added to this memorial, heroically served the citizens of Nashua.”
Donchess also recognized firefighters injured in the line of duty, including those who responded to the Amherst Street explosion and fire.
“Firefighters leave their homes every day dedicated to saving people they do not know,” he said. “You put yourselves in danger — danger from which others flee — for one reason, and that is to save lives.”
Buxton said the ceremony carried particular weight this year as the department added Telgin’s name to the memorial.
“This year, that responsibility carries even more weight for Nashua Fire Rescue,” Buxton said. “We will add another name to those who gave their lives in the line of duty, Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Telgin.”
Buxton thanked active and retired members, families and others who support the department.
“The history of Nashua Fire Rescue is not defined by our stations, our apparatus or even the incidents to which we responded,” Buxton said. “It is defined by our people — the men and women who answered the call to serve their community, who stood behind one another in difficult moments and who helped build the department we have today.”
Firefighters remembered
Buxton remembered Assistant Chief Keith Anderson Sr., who served Nashua Fire Rescue from Sept. 25, 1977, through May 28, 2011, and Lt. Douglas Huntley, who served from July 31, 1977, through March 28, 2001.
“Their combined decades of service helped build the traditions, standards and foundations that today’s members have inherited,” Buxton said.
He also remembered Fire Alarm Supervisor Samantha Allen, who had served Nashua Fire Rescue since Aug. 7, 2023, and died April 6.
“While Sam’s time at Nashua Fire Rescue was much shorter than any of us would have wanted, the measure of someone’s contribution is not simply found in the number of years that they served,” Buxton said. “Sam became part of our organization, part of our daily lives and part of our fire service family.”
Telgin joined Nashua Fire Rescue on Nov. 4, 2002. He was diagnosed with occupational cancer on Sept. 27, 2025, and died June 18, Buxton said.
“There should be no separation in our minds between Glenn’s occupational cancer and the work he performed throughout his career in the fire service,” Buxton said.
Buxton said the dangers firefighters face are not always apparent during an emergency response and can emerge years later.
“Glenn’s cancer was occupational cancer,” he said. “His illness was tied to his service as a firefighter, and his death represents the ultimate price that could be paid for a career devoted to protecting others.”
He said Telgin’s death underscores the need to better protect firefighters from occupational exposures.
Buxton closed by recognizing the families of department members, saying their sacrifices allow firefighters to serve the community.
“They accept missed dinners, holidays, birthdays, weekends and family events,” Buxton said. “They understand interrupted plans, late phone calls and the times when someone they love walks out the door knowing they may be called upon to place themselves in harm’s way for someone they have never met.”
