Thomaston Fire Department officially appointed an interim Fire Chief, June 24, 2024, to be held until a search and nomination for a new leader can be fulfilled. On the police side, 14 applicants have applied for the position currently held by retiring Chief Tim Hoppe (his last day is July 5). And, at Rockland Fire and EMS, the chief and all four assistant chief positions will have turned over in the next four years.

Each department has either 1) created successful provisions to ensure the future of the department, 2) is acting as the provision that is holding the department stable, or 3) is actively pursuing solutions that will keep the momentum alive for future employees.

Firefighter Jamie Leo, who happens to be next in line at Thomaston Fire, has offered to hold the fort until Thomaston Town Manager Kara George can turn her attention to posting the position, coordinating a hiring committee, and carrying through on the process. Right now, with the fire department running smoothly, seeking a new chief has taken a back seat to filling the positions of Police Chief, Town Clerk, and Building Technician.

Leo will be known as interim Thomaston Fire Chief, Forest Fire Warden and Fire Inspector until a permanent position has been appointed. Though he takes the opportunity to sit at the Chief’s desk, he said he does not want the public to take the “interim chief” title as an official title. He is just helping as needed.

He sits with J.T. O’Hare. O’Hare, whose interim Thomaston EMS Director title began in September, has been instrumental at acquiring funds for an automated CPR machine ($18,000) and a new cardiac monitor ($37,988.56 after a $500 trade-in discount). The two interims have bantered some ideas for the futures of their Thomaston firefighting and ambulance services, but don’t have the urgency yet (at least until a new fire station and a second ambulance are acquired). And both men carry those official yet unofficial job titles.

After 34 years of service to the Thomaston Fire Department, starting in 1990, Mikial (Mike) Mazzeo retires on June 30, 2024.

“His commitment and skills quickly propelled him through the ranks, from Lieutenant to Captain, and ultimately to his appointment as Fire Chief in 2016,” Kara George told attendees at a joint retirement party for Mazzeo and Hoppe. “His leadership has been marked by a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.

“Chief Mazzeo, your legacy of service and leadership will be remembered and cherished by all of us,” said George.

Locals might still see Mazzeo at some Thomaston fires in the next year or two through his role as an Asst. Fire Chief for Rockland, a position he has held for more than 10 years.

Around the time that he retires from Rockland FD, another Asst. Chief, Adam Miceli, also retires. And, two years after that, Chief Chris Whytock and Asst. Chief Pat Lowe take their leave. 

But, whereas the fruits of Thomaston Police Chief Hoppe’s efforts to bring an enticing new work environment to the police dept. became evident with the mere volume of applicants to his posted position, astounding to Thomaston, which used to only receive two or three applicants, Rockland FD wonders about its future. They’ve got a few junior firefighters milling about. But, the outgoing institutional knowledge and upward promotions leaves a gaping hole at the bottom rung, and the financial crisis of Emergency Medical Services in Maine, as well as the nation, is tough.

To help with this, Whytock won a $200,000 grant from Maine government’s “EMS Stabilization Program.” Most Rockland Fire and EMS personnel are cross-trained between the firefighting and medical services, and the department helps fund the training. To put a paramedic through school can put Rockland FD back $14,000, plus overtime pay, plus finding other workers to fill the student’s missed shifts. After ambulance calls, Medicaid and Medicare only reimburse 60 percent of the bill. The department, and the City, must absorb the rest.

Whytock is optimistic. He has a great group of workers rising up, and with annual $28 million of government funding, the prospects are hopeful that grants can be re-applied for annually.

“Before I leave, that’s my big goal,” said Whytock. “To make sure that staffing is up to par. To keep being progressive. Keep moving forward.”