Gravel Driveway Repair in Plaistow, NH

PLAISTOW, N.H. —

Having deep roots means different things to different people. For one Plaistow family, it signifies six generations living in the same town with public service running in their blood.

At the Plaistow Fire Department, on a Tuesday morning shift in February, it’s a true family affair. Deputy Chief John Judson, a second-generation Plaistow firefighter, works alongside his son, Captain Aaron Judson, a third-generation firefighter.

>> Also on Tuesday's episode of "NH Chronicle" - How New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult's best-selling novel, its accompanying soundtrack came to be

"Getting to work alongside my son is extra special," John said.

With decades of service under his belt, John reflects, "I’ve been here for 43 years now."

And for the last decade, he’s been responding to calls with his son, Aaron.

"It was kind of one of those things I always wanted to do,” Aaron said. “When I was growing up, I always hoped we'd get to do it, and here we are.”

A passion for firefighting started early for Aaron and his brother.

“When Aaron and his brother were small, they were always dressing up in firefighter toy gear and playing firefighter at the house,” John shared.

"I would always come down here when I was a kid and climb on the trucks. Pretty much since then, I knew what I wanted to do," Aaron said.

For the Judson family, the saying, "The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree," holds true.

John remembers his childhood almost the same way as his son.

"The fire station was about a half mile down the street, and I would go there as a little kid and climb on the trucks,” John said.

This legacy began with John’s father, making Aaron’s grandfather the original Judson Plaistow firefighter.

"My dad joined here in 1960. That’s what kind of, I think, sparked my interest way back then,” John said.

The Judsons have protected their Plaistow community for three generations, but their roots go even deeper.

Pointing to an old photograph, John explained, “That photo is probably from like 1860s, 1870s. The town of Plaistow used to have a baseball team, and that's the team photo from back then. The back row, the person in the center, that's my great-grandfather.”

Living in Plaistow for six generations creates a profound sense of pride for the family.

“It’s a pretty special feeling, being able to look at a picture like that and say, ‘Hey, that’s my blood relative in the picture,’” John said.

The family knows how rare it is to have such a long history in one town. Few people can say they’ve shared the experience of serving alongside their father and grandfather.

Reflecting on a cherished family photo of all three generations, Aaron said, “It was definitely nice to take that picture.”

For the Judson family, public service isn’t just a career — it’s a legacy.

"I’m very proud. You know, it’s nice to continue the tradition. My dad being here, myself, and now him. It’s pretty special to have that," John said. "(My dad) would be really proud if he was here."

I have been following Taryn Merrill's career path for a few years now, and I am a big fan! She is a hardworking and talented go-getter, and I love supporting local people like that.

Taryn attended Johnson and Whales, where she earned her degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. Over the past few years, she has made her way around New England as a cake decorator, pastry cook, and Adjunct Pastry Professor at Lakes Region Community College.

She first opened Fresh AF Bakeshop out of her home in Newmarket, New Hampshire. Since then, she moved to a great little spot in Kingston, New Hampshire.

She's known on these streets for thinking outside the cupcake tin, her Dill dough bites topped with pickles are a prime example of this:

But as her bakery grew in popularity, it became clear Fresh AF Bakeshop needed more space. Last year she decided to move to a 2,000-square-foot space in Plaistow.

The Plaistow location has been open for about a year now.

What is different about the Plaistow location vs Kingston?

THEY HAVE SEATING!!! Not only that, but their kitchen is open, so you can watch the magic happen while enjoying your treats.

Oh yes, they clucking did. Their chicken pies are made with chicken, carrots, peas, celery, carrots, and onions. They use our own chicken stock to make their scratch gravy and tuck everything in between a flaky AF top AND bottom pie crust. Are you drooling? Because I am.

Their small (6") pot pie serves 1-2, and their large (9") pie is a big mama, we're talking over 3lbs of filling to serve 6-8 guests. You can choose between a frozen take & bake pie or let them fire up the oven for you and have your pie hot and ready for pickup. Pre order your pie here.

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The mutual aid district, lawmakers, and community members collaborate to continue ALS services for 100,000 residents.

Tony Schinella, Patch Staff

PLAISTOW, NH — The new Plaistow Regional Intercept program, to be based in Brentwood and Plaistow, went into operation at 3 p.m. on March 21.

It will serve 18 communities and more than 100,000 residents.

"Through the help of several individuals, teamwork, collaboration, and organization, we have achieved a miracle in the last six months," Plaistow Fire Chief Chris Knutsen said during a ceremony at the Brentwood Fire Station.

Beth Israel Lahey Health Exeter Hospital announced in September 2024 that the paramedic intercept service it had provided for 32 years would be discontinued in 10 days. Paramedic intercept services are Advanced Life Support (ALS) services that support smaller agencies that do not offer ambulance transport.

Emergency medical services are not considered essential under New Hampshire law.

Find out what's happening in Hampton-North Hamptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Seacoast Chief Officers Mutual Aid District, which serves 53 communities, including many affected towns, recognized the decision as a public health emergency.

District Board President and Portsmouth Fire Chief William McQuillen convened a working group with support from Seacoast Chiefs Executive Director Steve Benotti and the Executive Board. The group included area fire chiefs, local officials, and experienced fire service professionals. They met regularly for 10 weeks with local, county, and state officials, private philanthropists, the hospital, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

Executive Councilor Janet Stevens played a vital role as liaison with state and other officials.

The hospital agreed to continue the intercept service through March 21, allowing time to develop an alternate service plan.

The working group determined the region’s service needs and contacted five service providers who may be able to fulfill a paramedic intercept service. The group received three plans, a municipal regional plan, a private non-profit plan, and a private for-profit plan.

Knutsen developed the preferred municipal service model, which:

Two highly trained paramedics will be stationed around the clock at the Plaistow and Brentwood fire stations and will respond to surrounding member towns in emergencies. By placing a second intercept vehicle in Brentwood, paramedics will be able to respond to 80 percent of calls within 15 minutes.

"Paramedics will be out making a difference in the field, every day, communities helping communities, neighbors helping neighbors," McQuillen said.

This model was contingent on funding the first year of operational costs up front, to avoid damaging increases to local municipal budgets. The hospital agreed to invest $2 million in first-year service and donated current intercept vehicles and equipment. The William H. Donner Foundation has contributed $200,000 with a promise of continued support.

Exeter Hospital provided intercept service in 13 communities. Some towns, such as Exeter and Hampton, have full-time paramedics on staff. But smaller towns such as Brentwood, East Kingston, Kingston, Fremont, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Newfields, and Stratham do not have staffed medics nor operate 24/7. The new regional intercept will support the original 13 towns, plus five — Atkinson, Danville, Hampstead, Sandown, and Newton — that are ending contracts with a for-profit service provider.

"We have been entrusted to provide this very important service," Knutsen said. "As a fire chief, it is hard to reach out and have somebody else come into your community and provide services. I can't thank these chiefs enough for allowing us to put a plan together and trusting us that it will work."

The Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District wishes to recognize McQuillen for his leadership, and Knutsen for his plan design and implementation. The organization also wishes to recognize Councilor Stevens for working tirelessly to advance this project.

The chiefs also wish to express their deep appreciation to the Donner Foundation for its financial backing.

The District thanks the town of Plaistow for its support, as well as the town of Brentwood and Fire Chief Joe Bird for agreeing to operate a second intercept out of Brentwood Fire & Rescue headquarters.

The chiefs also wish to thank Beth Israel Lahey Health Exeter Hospital, its paramedics and CEO/President Deb Cresta, for delivering lifesaving care to the Greater Seacoast area for 32 years.

About The Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District

The Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District is comprised of fire and rescue departments of 53 cities and towns across the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The District provides mutual aid to any member requesting it in times of major emergencies. The District maintains and supports a mobile command post, a regional hazardous materials response team, and a Type Two incident management team as well as supporting apparatus. The Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District is dedicated to enhancing fire and life safety across a seacoast that spans three states, through strong partnerships, constant collaboration, and open honest communications.

Submitted by the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District.

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