On March 31, 2011 Captain Gary Lambert will report to the station for his final 24 hour shift. At the conclusion of his shift at 0700 on April 1, 2011 Captain Lambert will hang his helmet for the last time.
Gary began his fire service career as a Call Company Firefighter on February 1, 1982. He was hired full-time on March 31, 1986. In November of 1988 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and in 1994 he was promoted to Captain. Gary was then promoted to the position of Deputy Fire Chief in 1997.
With the sudden death of the Chief Stephen Laduke in February 1999, Deputy Chief Gary Lambert became Acting Fire Chief and maintained that position for half the year until a new Chief was selected. In 2001, Gary requested and accepted a re-assignment to the line position of Captain.
Throughout his career, Gary consistently held a strong desire to promote public safety and spent each year caring about his crews and the residents of Hooksett. He assumed leadership roles because of his desire to get the most done in the most efficient manner he knew how. Everyone who worked with Gary would acknowledge he was an Officer who was going to get the job done. Captain Lambert always took the time to make sure his crew understood the plan of the day and everyone on the shift was encouraged to contribute to the best of their abilities. Gary continued training throughout his career and understood that you can never stop learning or training in this trade. His capacity to grasp the situation and contribute towards improving the outcome are abilities that will be described of him during his career in Hooksett and sought in the fire officers who follow in this department. |
Gary has served on the fire department's training comittee and Hooksett's insurance committee. He serves New Hampshire's fire service as 1st vice president of the New Hampshire State Firemens Association (NHSFA). In 2006 as NHSFA Merrimack County Representative Gary was chairman of the New Hampshire Fallen Firefighters Memorial Committee charged with coordinating fundraising, materials and personnel. On September 10, 2006 The NH Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated with hundreds in attendence.
Captain Gary Lambert will bring to a close his duties with the Hooksett Fire-Rescue Department on March 31, 2011. It will have been 25 years to the day since he was hired as a full time Firefighter and more than 29 years of public safety service to the Town of Hooksett. We wish Gary the best in his retirement and thank him for his dedication and brotherhood.
