Newbury Names David Evans as Fire Chief

NEWBURY — The Select Board has unanimously chosen David Evans as Newbury’s next Fire Chief pending completion of successful contract negotiations.
Evans currently serves as a full-time Lieutenant/EMT in the Groveland Fire Department, and as Deputy Chief with the on-call West Newbury Fire Department.
Former Fire Chief Douglas Janvrin retired in August after 36 years of service.
The Board hired Community Paradigm Associates to lead the search for a permanent chief. Seven candidates applied, with a screening committee choosing five for initial interviews. Three candidates participated in an Assessment Center to test their skills in fire management, leadership, employee management, and decision-making.
Based on Assessment Center results, two candidates were forwarded to the Select Board: Evans and Michael Gonynor, a firefighter with the Middleton Fire Department.
Both candidates were interviewed in public session on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Select Board members voted unanimously to offer Evans the position.
Evans holds a Bachelor’s degree from Salem State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire, as well as numerous professional certifications.
Before entering public safety full-time, he worked as Assistant Principal at Oyster River High School in Durham, N.H. from 2003-2008, and Assistant Principal at Pentucket Regional High School from 2008-2017. While at Pentucket he created and led the Pentucket Regional Public Safety Academy, in which more than 400 students were trained in fire science, law enforcement, and applied health.
Deputy Chief Wallace Ziehler is serving as Interim Fire Chief. He was not a candidate for the permanent position.