SOUTH PORTLAND — The city’s longtime fire chief has announced his resignation to take a job with Iberdrola USA, owner of Central Maine Power Co.
Kevin Guimond, 49, joined the South Portland Fire Department in 1987 and became chief in 2003. He has accepted a job as an analyst in Iberdrola’s fire protection division in Maine.
“It’s time,” Guimond said Saturday. “It’s a great opportunity for me.”
In this file photo, South Portland Fire Chief Kevin Guimond speaks July 17, 2010 about a plane crash on a road in South Portland. Joel Page/Staff Photographer
Guimond delivered his resignation letter to City Manager Jim Gailey on Wednesday. The week before, a national insurance risk assessment agency rated the South Portland Fire Department among the top 100 of more than 40,000 departments nationwide.
South Portland is the first city in Maine to achieve a Class 1 rating, in part because of its aggressive fire inspection and code enforcement program.
“I feel I’m leaving this department in a better position than when I took over, and I am proud of the men and women I have served with,” Guimond wrote. “The fire department is currently in a great position and ready to move forward with exceptional leadership in place.”
Deputy Chief Miles Haskell is expected to serve as acting chief, a role he’s filled before during more than 40 years with the department, Guimond said.
Guimond’s last day on the job will be Nov. 20. He acknowledged that he’s leaving at a time when city officials are reviewing a controversial proposal to build a liquefied petroleum gas depot at Rigby Yard. He said he’s confident that his colleagues will conduct a careful and comprehensive examination of the proposal’s potential public safety impacts.
Guimond, who grew up and lives in Cape Elizabeth, said he plans to return to his roots and serve as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown, where he began his career.
“I have had the honor and pleasure of serving a great city, with the best firefighters and paramedics in the business,” Guimond wrote. “I can honestly say I feel like I have been able to make a difference in many people’s lives as a paramedic, as well as a firefighter. I still love my job! Very few people can say that.”
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