Granite State Fire Service Support Team

10/09/2026

Rest in Peace Chief

10/03/2026

Today, we honor and remember Sergeant James S. Noyes, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

Sergeant James S. Noyes
1954-1994

On Monday, October 3, 1994, Sergeant Noyes responded to a S.W.A.T. call in Gilford, where a despondent man had barricaded himself in his home with a r***e. After many hours of unsuccessful negotiations, and in an attempt to save the elderly man from harming himself or others, Sergeant Noyes attempted to confront the individual and was met with fatal gunfire. Sergeant Noyes was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for his bravery on Thursday, November 16, 1995.

Sergeant Noyes was a 1972 graduate of Haverhill High School in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and a 1976 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston, holding a B.S. in Sociology. He was hired by the New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) on Friday, February 25, 1977. During his 17-year tenure with the NHSP, Sergeant Noyes was assigned to Troop E in Tamworth as a patrol Trooper, a Troop detective, and a patrol supervisor. He was also assigned as a detective with the Major Crime Unit (MCU), the Narcotics Investigation Unit (NIU), and was the Assistant Commander of the S.W.A.T. Unit. Sergeant Noyes spearheaded the creation and implementation of the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program for the division and enjoyed assisting with the development of troopers over their careers.

Sergeant Noyes also served as President of the NHSP Benevolent Association. As president, he led the association in planning and organizing the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the NHSP. He also developed the scholarship program for State Police Employees, which was later named in his memory: the Sergeant James Noyes Benevolent Scholarship.

While Sergeant Noyes’ most important commitment was to his family, he was also very involved in his community. He served on several different committees within the school system and was also an avid supporter of the local youth sports teams. Sergeant Noyes even coached for a time. After his death, the gymnasium at the Madison Elementary School was renamed in his honor.

He is survived by his wife, Debra, and their three children: Nathan, Daniel, and Brianna.

He will never be forgotten.

09/17/2026

LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH SERVICE INFORMATION

Honoring Our Fallen Brother, Firefighter Eric Phillips

Raymond Fire Chief Jason Grant and the members of the Raymond Fire Department announce the following service information for Firefighter Eric Phillips, who died in the line of duty following a sudden medical emergency suffered while responding to a call for service.
A memorial ceremony honoring the life, service, and sacrifice of Firefighter Phillips will be held:
Saturday, September 19, 2026
11:00 AM
Iber Holmes Gove Middle School
1 Stephen K. Batchelder Parkway
Raymond, New Hampshire
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES & HONOR GUARDS

Due to the anticipated attendance and the need to accommodate participating public safety agencies, all out-of-town first responders, honor guards, and color guards are asked to report to:
Raymond High School
45 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, New Hampshire
Staging and check-in will begin at 8:00 AM.
GENERAL PUBLIC PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE

With the exception of individuals and families requiring accessible parking, members of the general public are asked to park at Raymond High School and arrive no later than 9:45 AM.
Shuttle transportation will be provided from Raymond High School to the memorial ceremony at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School.
Accessible parking will be available at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School.
All attendees are encouraged to arrive early to allow sufficient time for parking, check-in, staging, and shuttle transportation prior to the ceremony.
PRIVACY & RESPECT

The Raymond Fire Department respectfully asks members of the public and media to remain mindful of the privacy of Firefighter Phillips’ family, friends, and fellow members of the fire service as they mourn this profound loss.
Chief Jason Grant and the members of the Raymond Fire Department extend their sincere appreciation to the surrounding fire and police departments, emergency service organizations, honor guards, public safety personnel, volunteers, and members of the community who have offered their support to the Phillips family and the Raymond Fire Department during this difficult time.
The fire service is a family, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who will come together to honor the life, service, and sacrifice of our fallen brother, Firefighter Eric Phillips.

09/11/2026

Done Right!

09/07/2026

Chief

09/06/2026

On September 4, 2026, Firefighter Eric Phillips responded to a commercial fire alarm. While investigating the alarm activation, Eric suddenly collapsed and was found in cardiac arrest. Fellow department members immediately began providing emergency medical care and worked to save his life, and Eric

09/06/2026

Rest in peace Chief Hemeon

It is with great sadness that the Rumney Fire Department announces the passing of retired Fire Chief John Hemeon.

Chief Hemeon dedicated 35 years of service to the Rumney Fire Department, serving from 1965 to 2000, including 12 years as Fire Chief from 1988 to 2000.

Among the many moments that defined his service, Chief Hemeon is especially remembered for his heroic actions at a church fire in 1978. While crews were actively fighting the fire, a firefighter partially fell through an attic floor. Chief Hemeon immediately came to the fire fighters aid, pulling the firefighter to safety before continuing suppression efforts.

His actions that day reflected the courage, dedication, and commitment to his fellow firefighters that characterized his many years of service to the Town of Rumney.

Beyond his years in the fire service, we will remember Chief Hemeon for the stories, conversations, and visits he shared with us when he stopped by the fire station. His presence and connection to the department continued long after his retirement, and he will be greatly missed.

Our deepest condolences go out to Chief Hemeon’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him.

Rest easy, Chief. We’ll take it from here.

Funeral service arrangements will be shared as they become available.

09/05/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with FF Phillips and his family