Captain James Kersten

Hampstead Road Fire Station - Station 4
74 Hampstead Road
Derry, NH 03038

Fax: (603) 432-6752

James Kersten is the Captain of Station 4.  As the Hampstead Road Station Captain, he oversees all facility maintenance and upkeep, budgeting as well as planning and implementing capital improvement projects for Station 4.  This station houses Ladder 4, Medic 4, Rescue 4, Marine 4, and reserve Engine 6. 

Captain Kersten began in the fire service by following his father as a volunteer with the West Dover (Vermont) Fire Department in 1994.  From 2003 to 2007 Captain Kersten worked as an Assistant Fire Marshal for the State of Vermont, Division of Fire Safety.  He started at Derry Fire Department in 2007.  In July of 2020 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and in December of 2023 he was promoted to the rank of Captain. 

Captain Kersten served as the Interim Director of Fire Prevention from 2011 to 2015 overseeing fire inspections, plan reviews, and fire investigations.  Captain Kersten has also been the department’s new hire oral board interview coordinator and has coordinated both written and practical exams for promotion to Lieutenant. 

Captain Kersten holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven in Fire Science Administration, is a certified Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.  He has also attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD on several occasions and has received the Fire Officer Designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. 

Captain Kersten is an instructor with the Vermont Fire Academy and serves as an officer with the Chesterfield (NH) Fire Department. 

Captain Kersten lives in West Chesterfield, NH with his wife and two daughters.