Doug Welch grew up on West Center Street and moved to Highland Street during his high school years, graduating from Manchester High School in 1964, and from University of Hartford in 1968.

Doug served with the Town of Manchester Fire Department from 1972 to 1997, after volunteering for two years with Company #1 on McKee Street.

Doug is the historian of the Town Fire Department, and has also volunteered at the Manchester Historical Society, including construction of the Keeney Schoolhouse on the grounds of the Cheney Homestead. Doug has served on the Cheney District Commission and the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Firemen's Historical Society.

He also wrote the text for the "South Manchester Fire Department, 1897-1997," a yearbook commemorating the 100th anniversary of the department, published by Taylor Publishing Company.

And he wrote "The Ninth District School Fire, South Manchester Connecticut, October 23, 1913" commemorating the 100th anniversary of the fire, with a limited edition printing in 2013.