New Hampshire State Fire Marshal/ Chief J. William Degnan (Retired)

J. William (Bill) Degnan served as the State of New Hampshire/ senior fire executive, Director/ Chief State Fire Marshal, which has diverse responsibilities to meet the statutory mandates in collaboration across state agencies, local fire and law enforcement. The statewide responsibilities involved, preparing a biennial budget, building plan review, inspections, permits/ trade licensing, oversight of fire safety, public fire safety education, coordination of hazardous materials incidents, state fire code, modular building manufacturers, amusement rides tramways, and fire investigations. Degnan was also responsible for the Statewide fire incident reporting system, fire mobilization plan, coordination of mutual aid, certification of fire mutual aid districts and private fire departments. Provided consultations with local fire chiefs on various operational challenges. Chief Degnan lead the Division through reorganization to require all fire investigators are full time law enforcement officers, certified firefighters, and certified fire investigators and the merging of plumbing/ gas trades, and tramways and amusement rides into the Division.

Chief Degnan worked closely with elected officials and the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs in the promulgation of legislation, as an example he drafted and successfully worked with the legislature to pass legislation requiring carbon monoxide alarms anywhere people sleep, requirements for licensing of gas fitters, safer cigarettes, and updates of the state’s fire codes. There were other legislative initiatives that improved both firefighters and public safety. He served as the President of the National Association of State Fire Marshal’s (NASFM) where he testified at a Congressional Hearing on Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes, which were eventually adopted throughout all fifty states. Testified before the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on their budget and priorities, and twice on upholstered furniture flammability, the National Equity and Human Rights Commission and the National Disability Rights Network on fire safety. While President of NASFM he was critical in creating a new business model to provide financial sustainability for the future of NASFM. Thus, allowing NASFM to continue their leadership role in the fire investigation and public safety field into the future.

Chief Degnan’s formal education includes the University System of NH (now Granite State College) with a BS Business Management, NHVTC Laconia with a AS in Fire Science as well as Studies from Daniel Webster College/New England Aeronautical Institute Nashua, National Fire Academy, NH Fire Academy and the Police Standards and Training. He also holds certifications as a Level III Firefighter, Fire Investigator, Law Enforcement field and formerly an EMT. He had served as a fire service instructor, an Adjunct Instructor for the NHCTC Laconia evening program in Manchester and Nashua and have presented on a national Level to the insurance adjusters/investigators and IAAI. Having started his fire service career of public safety as a firefighter serving a local fire department, private fire department for a nuclear power plant and the state fire marshal’s office for 44 years, retiring after fourteen years as the Chief Executive Fire officer, has built the skills and ability to provide well thought out credible fire protection, investigations, suppression, leadership and business management. His education coupled with diverse experience has developed a well-rounded fire service professional geared to deal with the rapidly changing environment faced by today’s fire service, industry and the public.