East Bridgewater Fire Department Announces Retirement of Chief Timothy Harhen

EAST BRIDGEWATER — The East Bridgewater Fire Department is celebrating the retirement of Fire Chief Timothy Harhen after an incredible 33 years of dedicated service.

Chief Harhen’s career with the department began in 1991 as a call firefighter. He officially joined the East Bridgewater Fire Department on March 11, 1996, and steadily rose through the ranks. He became a Lieutenant on December 25, 2001, was promoted to Deputy Chief on January 1, 2010, and took on the role of Acting Fire Chief in April 2012. A year later, on July 1, 2013, he was officially appointed Fire Chief.

A graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, Chief Harhen has built a career marked by dedication, leadership, and countless contributions to the community.

To honor his decades of service, the East Bridgewater Fire Department recently held a celebration attended by Chief Harhen’s wife of 16 years, Karen, and their son, Alex, members of the Fire Department, state legislators, Town employees, and Fire Chiefs from across the region.

Throughout his tenure, Chief Harhen achieved many milestones. He was one of the department’s first paramedics and even delivered two babies while on duty. His commitment to securing resources led to $2 million in grant funding, allowing the department to hire additional staff, acquire new apparatus, and implement digital radio systems.

He also played a significant role in transitioning the department to regional dispatch at the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center, a complex process that took strategic coordination and patience.

“To put it mildly, this was a major undertaking by the Chief requiring persistence and perseverance,” said East Bridgewater Town Administrator Charles Seelig.

Following Chief Harhen’s retirement on March 14, retired Duxbury Fire Chief Kevin Nord has stepped in as interim chief while the search for a permanent replacement is underway.

“On behalf of the Town of East Bridgewater, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Chief Timothy Harhen for his 33 years of dedicated service to our fire department and community,” said Town Administrator Seelig. “Chief Harhen’s leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact, and we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

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