ROCKPORT — For Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley, Thursday evening, Feb. 2, was the department’s regular monthly training meeting. It included a walk-through of another local business, this month Rockport Marine, which is something the department does when the weather is not as conducive to outside trainings.

Following the tour, the firefighters were scheduled to return to the station for their regular business meeting and yearly traffic control operations class.

But, there was another item added to the evening’s agenda and all of the department’s 31 firefighters were successful with keeping it a secret from their Chief.

The Rockport Fire Department presented Peasley with a custom-made Chief's helmet with a special badge handcrafted in Augusta.

“The department took some time to recognize the accomplishments of our Chief since he took the reigns of the Rockport Fire Department almost four years ago. We recognized that as a department, we wouldn't be in the great position we are in today without his amazing leadership,” said Deputy Chief Todd Philbrook.

Philbrook also said that the recognition was long overdue and something the department had been planning for several months.

“Bruce [Woodward] ran a tight ship and the Chief has only made it stronger,” he said. “We are a family and a very tight department and the Chief has always been there for us.”

Peasley, in turn, gave the praise right back to the department.

“Bruce [Woodward] built one heck of a fire department and all I am doing is building on his legacy,” he said. “We have an amazing team of men and women who all work great together. Everyone is extremely committed to Rockport and the fire department.”

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com