Rochester firefighter is new Lebanon chief

LEBANON - A 19-year Rochester firefighter was hired Thursday as Lebanon's new fire chief to replace retiring chief Skip Wood.

Dan Meehan, 52, will oversee the department and hopefully a combined Lebanon Fire and Rescue down the road, Lebanon Selectmen Chairman Ben Thompson said on Friday.

Meehan, who lives in Rochester, grew up in Somersworth where his dad is a former fire chief, and where he volunteered as a call firefighter while in high school.

In 1986 he moved to Rochester where he continued as a call firefighter, rising to the rank of captain. In 1995 he was hired full time.

Since then he has been named Rochester Firefighter of the Year twice.

He said he and his fiancée, Wendy Rudnicki, both joined the Lebanon Fire Department about three months ago, and when he learned Wood was retiring submitted his resume for the job.

Mark Munroe of Chester, N.H., initially was hired to the position, but later backed out.

Meehan, who lives near the Lebanon town line on Milton Road, said he is thankful for getting the job and looking forward to hopefully being able to help combine Lebanon fire and rescue departments. If that becomes a reality, he said he will quickly brand them as "The New Lebanon Fire and Rescue."

If you want to meet Meehan on a casual basis, you can at the Lebanon Rescue Valentine's Dance two weeks from today at the Rochester American Legion, where he'll deejay the event.