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North Haven board weighs creating a paid emergency services administrator to oversee fire and EMS
Summary
After the current fire chief said he will not reapply, the Select Board discussed creating an emergency services administrator position to coordinate fire and EMS training, recruitment and building oversight and agreed to convene a workshop with officers before deciding on job description or compensation.
The Select Board discussed whether to create a single emergency services administrator to oversee fire and EMS functions after the incumbent fire chief notified the town he will not put his name forward for another term.
Board members noted recent turnover, the stress of the volunteer/stipended roles, and the difficulty of finding qualified volunteers for leadership. Participants discussed whether a part-time paid position (a previously cited figure of approximately $60,000 was mentioned in conversation as a reference point) would be appropriate for overseeing compliance, regular training, record-keeping and the new public-safety building’s shared responsibilities.
The board agreed to convene a workshop with fire and EMS officers and delegates to identify duties and priorities and to request written role descriptions from department leaders. The aim is to generate information before any town-meeting warrant article is drafted; members emphasized wanting an internal candidate if possible but did not rule out external recruitment.
No formal hiring decision was made; the board directed staff to schedule the workshop in early February (options discussed included Feb. 5 or Feb. 19) and to return with role descriptions and recommended next steps.
