Brentwood announces Fire Chief Byrd’s upcoming retirement; town accepts donated off‑road tanker

Fire Chief Joseph Byrd told the Select Board in a written letter read Aug. 18 that he intends to retire effective Oct. 30 after more than 37 years of service to Brentwood. The board publicly thanked Byrd for his tenure and leadership of the department. Deputy Chief Roy Olson and other department leaders reported the town has been offered and will accept a donated off‑road forestry tanker vehicle. The vehicle will be owned by the town; the department must spec and install a water tank (estimated between 800 and 1,200 gallons depending on cost) and paint the vehicle within six months of receipt. Board members said the only immediate expense is transport and any tank work; the Fire Association indicated willingness to assist with some costs. Olson also briefed the board on a recent second‑alarm house fire on South Road. He said a crew of three on duty that day — a pump operator and two firefighters who could enter the building — were able to contain heavy fire to the second floor, prevent roof loss and limit damage to that area. Mutual aid units from Kingston, Epping, Fremont, Lee, Exeter and East Kingston assisted with additional personnel, tankers and an air trailer to refill breathing-air bottles. The board voted to accept the donated tanker; members said it will work in conjunction with existing forestry apparatus and expand the town’s off‑road firefighting capacity. No personnel changes were made at the meeting related to Byrd’s retirement; the board said it is satisfied a transition plan is in place.