Government Spotlight

Fire & Rescue chief resigns, search for replacement underway

|Joanne Cole & Debra Smith|

New Gloucester Fire and Rescue Chief Toby Martin has resigned effective Monday, December 7th, NGX has learned.  Reached for comment, town manager Brenda Fox-Howard confirmed Martin’s departure and said that a search for his replacement has begun. Several applications have already been received.

Most community members first learned of the change in Fire and Rescue leadership through a job posting for a Fire/Rescue Chief on the “Employment” section of the Town website on December 9. 

The ad reads in part: 

“The Department covers approximately 42 square miles from a single station. The Department is a full-service fire/rescue and EMS organization that has an average of 45 on-call fire/EMS personnel; the Fire and Rescue Chief is a working leader and member of the Fire & Rescue Team. The department responds to more than 500 fire and EMS calls per year. The current annual operating budget of the Fire Department is approximately $400,000.

“Candidates must have strong leadership and managerial skills combined with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Strong work ethic, integrity, proven human resource capabilities, adaptability and creativity are essential. New Gloucester is looking for a collaborator with problem solving skills and team building; planning and directing the work activities and operations of the department.”

The ad gives the salary range for the chief’s position as “$60,000-$70,000 Negotiable.”  According to the ad, resumes will be accepted until December 28, 2020.  The ad has been posted at the Maine Municipal Association website.

Martin was hired in February 2019, after brief stints as head of Turner Rescue and Wiscasset Ambulance Service and many years as a firefighter and EMT in Bath and Brunswick.  Martin oversaw the New Gloucester department through tumultuous transitions.  During his tenure, the town implemented 24/7 EMS coverage from the fire station and shifted from a traditional model with stipended volunteers to an evolving roster of on-call employees receiving hourly compensation.  Many longtime fire and rescue personnel, including officers, resigned in the changing landscape

A resident of New Gloucester, Martin provided essential coverage and personally responded to many rescue calls.  Along with NGFR personnel, the town relies on mutual aid from neighboring communities.

Preceding Martin as NGFR chief were Jim Ladewig, who resigned in November 2018, and before Ladewig, the late Gary Sacco.

An additional challenge, Martin’s departure coincides with the start of the FY21-22 budget cycle.  With a current budget of more than $645,000 and substantial near- and long-term capital needs, Fire and Rescue is one of the town’s most significant departments.  Deputy chief Craig Bouchard presented the department’s capital requests for the coming budget year at a November 23 meeting of the board of selectmen.  Bouchard will serve as interim chief until a new chief is selected, Fox-Howard said.