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Falmouth affirms new fire chief as town outlines $800,000 in storm damage and recovery steps
Summary
Select Board chair Bob Moscally and Town Manager Mike Renshaw announced the board affirmed the appointment of Jeff Lewis as fire chief and outlined storm recovery actions after winter storm 'Hernando,' reporting roughly $800,000 in town damages submitted to MEMA for potential federal reimbursement.
The Select Board affirmed Town Manager Mike Renshaw’s recommendation to appoint Jeff Lewis, a long‑time Fairfax County, Virginia, fire official, as Falmouth’s new fire chief. Chair Bob Moscally said Lewis brings about 32 years of experience and emergency‑management expertise that the town valued after recent storms. "We needed to get him going so that there's enough lead time," Moscally said.
Renshaw praised Deputy Chief Chad Abston for stepping in as acting fire chief and emergency management director during the storms, saying Abston "did an outstanding job operating our emergency operation center." He told residents the department managed an unusually severe storm event with heavy wet snow and 70‑plus mph winds that impaired normal plowing operations.
Renshaw said the town completed a damage assessment with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and reported roughly $800,000 in town costs for equipment damage and personnel overtime. Those totals have been transmitted to MEMA as Falmouth seeks state and federal coordination for a possible disaster declaration and reimbursement. "We're hopeful now, if everything plays out, MEMA will be in communication, the governor's office will be in communication with the federal administration," Renshaw said.
Renshaw outlined operational lessons learned, including staging heavier equipment under contractual arrangements rather than purchasing it outright and addressing generator vulnerabilities that caused overheating during icing conditions. Moscally and Renshaw said the town will continue after‑action reviews and implement mitigations to improve readiness for future storms.
The Select Board did not record a roll‑call vote on the broadcast; the announcement was made as part of the board update. The town will provide further implementation details and any staffing or budget implications in upcoming public meetings.
