New Eastham Fire Chief Makes History

Eastham native Lisa Albino tapped to helm Eastham Fire Department as Cape Cod's first female fire chief.

Who is the new Eastham Fire Chief?

16 August 2024 — EASTHAM, MA — Eastham Deputy Fire Chief Lisa Albino will become Cape Cod’s first female fire chief September 6 when Fire Chief Dan Keane retires. Albino, born and raised in Eastham, said she’s always wanted to be a firefighter, but her first path was in nursing.

“At that time,” she said, “there weren’t many women in the fire service.”

What experience does Lisa Albino have?

After graduating from nursing school in 1987, the Eastham Fire Chief hired her as a call firefighter and trained her as a paramedic. In the 37 years since, she’s received a Bachelors’ degree in fire science and a Masters’ in public administration. She’s also risen in the ranks of the department, appointed captain in 2010 and deputy chief — the Cape’s first female chief officer — in 2022. 

Albino also runs Camp Fully Involved, a summer camp in New Hampshire each summer for young women interested in fire service and said she encourages a spirit of perseverance.

“I just kept moving forward,” she said. 

Albino also teaches emergency medical services to paramedics and firefighters around the Cape.

Who’s stepping down as Eastham Fire Chief?

Eastham Fire Chief Dan Keane, who’s worked in departments across the Cape for 32 years, said he’s always known Albino as a source of wisdom and guidance for her colleagues. When he started at the Eastham department in 2017, his admiration for her only grew, he added.

“Once I began working with Lisa, I found that she is the heartbeat of the Eastham fire department.”

Keane said he’s loved fire service for most of his life, too, and “couldn’t believe someone would pay” him to do this work. 

He’s served as the town’s fire chief for two years and its deputy chief for five years before that. He said he’s fallen in love with the community during his tenure.

“When I came to Eastham from Sandwich, I was a little worried that it would be a little too sleepy for me, but Eastham is a vibrant community year-round,” he said.

As an Eastham native, Albino said, the support from the town has been “overwhelming.”

We asked Albino her favorite memory from four decades with the department.

“I get to go on calls for family and friends and neighbors,” she said. “Being able to serve the community that I love is memorable enough for me.”