The Town of Douglas has promoted Kelly Manning to Chief of the Douglas Fire and Ambulance Department.  She will be the third person to serve as Chief since the Department began delivering full-time service in 2017, and the first woman to earn the top spot.  The Department provides 24/7 fire coverage and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance services with a full-time trained staff of 10 supported by over 30 active call members.

Manning started as a call firefighter in Wellfleet, Massachusetts in 2004. She earned her EMT-Paramedic status as a university student in 2006, the year she joined the call department in Douglas under then Chief Don Gonynor.  She worked for the Amherst Fire Department for 3 years, over 9 years as a career firefighter in Southbridge, and 2 more in Westborough while she climbed the ranks of the Douglas call department.  Chief Kent Vinson hired her as Assistant Chief in Douglas in November 2020 after the town meeting created the position.  Manning was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2024 by Chief John Furno.

Douglas Town Administrator Matt Wojcik noted, “Kelly is highly qualified to serve as Chief.  In addition to her experience, she has a master’s degree in public administration, numerous certifications including hazardous materials response, SCUBA, fire training and instruction, fire prevention, and emergency management, and she is a registered nurse.  She has had the last three years to work with retiring Chief Furno, whose more than forty years of public service and experience as a manager provided a perfect example of leadership from which to draw.” 

Chief Furno noted, “In her role as Deputy Chief, Kelly has been a tireless advocate for health and safety, professional development, and operational readiness. She embodies the definition of public service—selfless, dedicated, and deeply committed to helping others. This is truly the best job in the world, and I will miss working full-time with a team who will overcome any obstacle to fulfill their calling.”

Manning commented, “It is both an honor and a privilege to serve alongside and support the dedicated men and women who provide fire, EMS, and all-hazards response to the Town of Douglas as your Fire Chief. I look forward to continuing to build strong community partnerships, embracing innovation, and ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our personnel as we move into the future.”