Torrey Demanche

Executive Secretary, Torrey Demanche explains how her job at the Hudson Fire Department (HFD) has far exceeded her expectations.

Demanche joined the HFD three years ago, following her role as a payroll administrator for Lowell Shoe. Doing accounting work in the public sector seasoned Demanche with the skills that are necessary for fulfilling her role at the fire station. Working payroll, overseeing purchase orders, budgeting, planning and purchasing are familiar responsibilities for Demanche, leaving her time for the more creative and fun aspects of her job, such as providing employees with the necessary tools to get their job done.

Demanche is responsible for the fire departments intranet. The HFD’s intranet went live six months ago, for the purpose of providing employees with an in-house vehicle for storing, sharing and retrieving essential employee information: general orders, guidelines, forms and various policies. Most importantly, the HFD’s intranet provides the department with the capability to communicate with each other through email accounts.

Demanche acquired her technical skills through trial and error. She says that overseeing the department’s intranet allows her to tap into her creativity and remain challenged in a positive way. Being a 24-hour operation requires that information be readily available to staff at all times. The intranet provides a safe and efficient holding place for department manuals, general orders, maps, emergency management plans and other significant documentation.

“The intranet has streamlined my work. It’s eliminated the need to store various editions of manuals and keep hard copy materials,” says Demanche.

Demanche says that what’s most exciting about her job is that it’s extremely diverse. “You learn something new everyday. I’m always gathering and researching information for one reason or another.” Demanche works closely with members of the fire department and says that she thoroughly enjoys sharing expertise and knowledge with each member of the team.

Demanche works with the Fire Chief on a daily basis, and says it’s a very rewarding place to be. “You always have the inside knowledge, and the first time perspective on what we’re moving toward in the future.”

The fire department’s recent purchase of Telestaff, a computer-staffing program, has presented Demanche with an opportunity to share the responsibility as the Telestaff spokesperson. Acting in this capacity has also given Demanche the opportunity to attend some out of state trainings. Demanche and the Deputy Fire Chief have traveled to California to attend a series of Telestaff training sessions. Demanche has been to California on three separate occasions, to learn the implementations requirements and rules of Telestaff. This past September, Demanche attended the annual “meet/greet” Telestaff training seminar in California, where she interacted with other fire departments, to learn about other programs being utilized in addition to Telestaff.

Demanche frequently attends local trainings with the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and has taken database courses at New Horizon’s computer learning center.

With much sincerity, Demanche shares that she has no plans of leaving her job with the HFD anytime soon. She says, “I work with a highly motivated and very family oriented team, which makes you want to push ahead and do the best job you can.”