ROCKLAND – Firefighter, advanced EMT, and Eagle Scout to boot. Max Negley easily topped the list of 14 applicants of a recent job opening at Rockland Fire/EMS, according to Chief Chris Whytock.

Negley, who grew up in Bowdoin and became certified through vocational schools in Brunswick, officially started work at the station Wednesday, July 26, following a brief swearing-in ceremony.

“I’ve always felt a push in the direction of public safety – fire, EMS, law enforcement – just generally helping people,” Negley said. “Those careers were very attractive to me growing up. I don’t know that there was any one thing that I could point to that caused that.”

Rockland’s process for filling the vacant slot, which became available due to a retirement and promotion, began with sending out applications.

Negley learned of the job from a posting shared on Facebook from his firefighter friend in Lewiston.

A four-week wait-time ensued, followed by three weeks of weeding. Within that duration, applicants were subjected to a physical/agility test, according to Whytock.

The remaining eight were then interviewed.

“In the interview process, Max was definitely head and shoulders above a couple of others,” Whytock said. “He is a go-getter who is actively pursuing what he wants.”

Though the Rockland job is Negley’s primary place of employment, he also intends to remain per diem with Winthrop Ambulance.

Some of that time off is also spent within the house he shares with a roommate, four cats and a dog.

“I do like animals,” he said.

And as for all the Eagle Scout badges?

“Certainly some of the skills I learned through that, I anticipate will be helpful in my career,” he said.

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com