Windham Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief retires after many years of service by Matt Pascarella

Deputy Chief David Nichols with Deputy Chief Jim Poitras and Captain Ken Thorpe at the South Windham Fire Station. Submitted photo

Deputy Chief David Nichols has been a member of the Windham Fire Department since he was 15 years old. He followed in the footsteps of his dad and hero, Ernie Nichols. “It was part of the family business; giving back to the community,” Nichol states. “It was always part of our family tradition.”

Nichols retired on June 1st after serving the Windham community for 34 years.

His dad, Ernie Nichols, was a fire fighter in the South Windham Village for 25 years and left in 1981 as Deputy Fire Chief; he’s now 82. Deputy Chief David Nichols grew up around the fire station and being around the other firefighters he became aware of the lifestyle; he realized he wanted to help others in the same way as his dad.

Nichols started in August of 1984 at the age of 15 as a junior member in South Windham. By the age of 18, he had become a lieutenant. In 1993, he moved to North Windham and became a captain shortly after, beginning his role as Deputy Chief approximately 10 years later.

After some initial training, Nichols became a member of the Portland Fire Department in 1999. He has been in this highly sought after and competitive position for 19 years and is currently a lieutenant. He will continue to serve on the Portland Fire Department.

Serving the community has been very rewarding. Nichols states that when the phone rings and someone is having their worst possible day he, and the other firefighters, want to do their best to help and try to find the positive in that worst day. For Nichols, the good outweighs the bad.

Nichols will miss his firefighting family in Windham. Nichols thanks his dad, his wife Jen and his two kids, Tim and Steph; he thanks them for their patience and sacrifice. Nichols would also like to thank the individuals who have mentored him along the way: Chief Dolby, Chief Hammond and Chief Libby and his first Captain, Jim Poitras.

“It’s been very rewarding…” reflects Nichols.

He plans to spend his extra time with his family, as well as participating in two of his favorite activities, hunting and fly fishing.