Concord, NH - The Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation has appointed Richard Mason, of Portsmouth, to its Board of Directors.  Mr. Mason is the Director of the Division of Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Service under the New Hampshire Department of Safety.   Director Mason earned his Associate's Degree in Fire Protection from the Lakes Region Community College (formerly New Hampshire Community Technical College at Laconia).

Mr. Mason became the third person to head the Division of in the State of New Hampshire when he was appointed to the post in 1996.

Richard Mason also serves on the board of directors of the North American Fire Training Directors and is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers.  He serves as chairman of the Commission on Professional Credentialing for Chief Fire Officers and Chief Medical Officers under the Center for Public Safety Excellence.  He served as the first President of the Safety & Health Council of Northern New England. In addition, Director Mason is active in the New Hampshire Boy Scouts and is past President of the Portsmouth Sunrise Rotary Club.

Prior to his career at the State's Fire Academy, Richard Mason served for more than 20 years in three New Hampshire city fire departments: Lebanon, Nashua and Portsmouth.

Mr. Mason earned his Associate's Degree from the Lakes Region Community College and his Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Management from the University System of New Hampshire. 


The Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation www.ccsnh.edu/foundation was incorporated in February 2000 as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation is overseen by the Board of Directors. The Foundation’s mission is to support the Community College System of New Hampshire by making higher education more accessible.