A part-time Westbrook firefighter who was put on unpaid leave after a woman got a protection-from-harassment order against him has left his job.

James Harbaugh resigned Monday from the Westbrook Fire and Rescue Department.

Since July 7, he has also been on paid leave from the Scarborough Fire Department, where he has been a part-time firefighter and rescue worker since 2000.

Westbrook officials put Harbaugh on leave in June, after he was accused of harassing and threatening a social worker who shares an office with Harbaugh’s wife.

A protection order dated June 8 said Harbaugh threatened to remove the woman from her office. It said she was “scared of” Harbaugh and believed he “could hurt her.”

Harbaugh can dispute the court’s protection order at a hearing scheduled for Friday. He did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Westbrook Fire Chief Michael Pardue declined to discuss the reasons for Harbaugh’s resignation.

“The department will move forward,” he said. “I respect that he has some personal obligations and commitments that caused him to need to step away from this department.”

Harbaugh joined the department in November 1999. He was a member of the call company and averaged 24 hours a week. In the most recent fiscal year, he earned nearly $16,000.

Pardue said Harbaugh’s hours will be filled by other members of the call company.

Scarborough Fire Chief B. Michael Thurlow declined to say what prompted the disciplinary action by his department.

Harbaugh was one of three firefighters who were disciplined in Westbrook last month.

Richard Dorr, a call firefighter, went on unpaid leave after his arrest June 22. Dorr is charged with domestic violence, criminal threatening and obstructing the report of a crime. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Dorr was served with a protection-from-abuse order that his wife was granted. Dorr can dispute the court’s protection order at a hearing scheduled for July 23.

James Gammon, a full-time firefighter who state records show has a 1983 felony conviction for robbery, was arrested June 25 and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Gammon was put on paid leave. His first court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17.

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at: mcreamer@pressherald.com