WINDHAM – Standish Director of Public Safety Brent Libby will take charge of the Windham Fire-Rescue Department early next month.

Libby is set to conclude his 10-year stint with the Standish Fire/EMS Department on Friday, Jan. 2. On Jan. 5, he will assume the title of Windham’s fire-rescue chief.

Libby will replace Charles Hammond, Windham’s first full-time fire-rescue chief. Hammond has served as Windham’s fire-rescue chief since 1985, and was promoted to the full-time position in 1992. In October, the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association named Hammond the Maine Fire Chief of the Year. Hammond announced his retirement in early April.

“Chief Hammond has been a pillar in the community and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Windham Fire-Rescue Department provides the best possible service to the community,” Libby said. “I am confident that I can pick up where he is leaving off, and that we as the Windham Fire-Rescue Department will continue that mission.”

Hammond declined to comment on the decision to hire Libby.

Libby, 32, has worked for the town of Standish since 2004. He has served as lieutenant, captain, and deputy fire chief. Libby was hired as public safety chief in 2008.

A native of Gorham, Libby began his career as a junior member of the Gorham Fire Department. He has spent his entire full-time career at Standish.

Libby, a resident of Standish, said he plans to move closer to the Windham Fire-Rescue Department eventually.

The Windham Town Council unanimously confirmed Libby’s appointment on Nov. 25.

Council Chairman David Nadeau said that Hammond’s four-decade career would be a difficult act to follow.

“Brent’s got some big shoes to fill, literally,” Nadeau said. “Charlie was just named Fire Chief of the Year. But I think he’s an excellent candidate – young and energetic, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

According to Windham Town Manager Tony Plante, the decision to hire Libby followed a five-month search. Thirty people applied for the position, Plante said.

“I think it will be great to have somebody who’s familiar with the area take the handoff from Chief Hammond, build on what we’ve done, and take the department where it needs to go next,” Plante said.

According to Nadeau, Libby will earn slightly less than Hammond, who said his salary is about $80,000 a year.

The town of Standish is advertising for a new fire chief. Town Manager Gordon Billington said Libby informed him that he was applying for the Windham position two months ago. Billington applauded Libby’s work upgrading the department’s equipment, reaching out to the community, and decreasing the number of false alarms set off at Saint Joseph’s College.

“I’m really saddened that Brent’s leaving,” Billington said. “He’s really served the town exceedingly well for the past 10 years.”

“That’s a wonderful opportunity for him to go to a much larger municipality,” Billington added.

According to Libby, the Standish Fire-EMS Department handles a call volume about half the size of Windham’s. The two communities provide mutual aid, however.

“It will be very similar to what I do now in a bigger community,” Libby said. “It seemed like a great career move.”

Brent Libby