Former Waterville Fire Chief Shawn J. Esler, left, speaks with Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, in the Senate chamber after being confirmed as Maine’s state fire marshal in Augusta on Thursday. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — Former Waterville fire Chief Shawn Esler was confirmed Thursday by the Maine Senate as the state’s fire marshal.

Esler’s appointment was one of more than a dozen confirmations taken up by the Senate that included Sara Gagné-Holmes, who was named the next commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate also filled several open seats on state boards and commissions based on nominations from Gov. Janet Mills.

Esler was confirmed 32-0 by the Senate, and there was no discussion on his nomination. He was hired by the Waterville Fire Department in 2008 as a firefighter and was promoted in 2011 to lieutenant, captain in 2015 and chief in 2018.

“I am truly humbled to have been confirmed by the Senate today,” Esler said in a statement provided by the Department of Public Safety on Thursday. “I am excited at the opportunity to serve Maine’s people.”

He has an associate’s degree in fire science from Eastern Maine Community College and a certification in paramedicine from Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.

Esler’s confirmation comes amid recent concerns about workplace culture in the fire marshal’s office, something he was asked about by lawmakers on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee during his confirmation hearing last month.

Esler said at the time that he would lead by example in illustrating how the office should be run and that he would be available and approachable to employees.

He reiterated those intentions in his statement on Thursday

“In the coming months, I intend to implement change to improve workplace culture,” Esler said. “We will continue our strong work in prevention, mitigation, and law enforcement in all matters related to fire in Maine.”

During his confirmation hearing, he also said that he would solicit feedback from employees at all levels to determine the current conditions and develop a task list with employee input.

“In the last couple weeks, I can confirm that our employees are some of the best and together we can improve services our state has come to expect,” Esler said on Thursday.

The Office of State Fire Marshal is a bureau within the Department of Public Safety, that oversees investigations into fires and explosions and enforces life safety codes for buildings. Esler, who replaces former Fire Marshal Richard McCarthy, will earn a salary of $131,726.

Other nominations confirmed by the Senate on Thursday include:
•Maine Land Use Planning Commission: Millard Billings, of Franklin; and Perry Ellsworth, of Strong
•Board of Pesticides Control: Curtis Bohlen, of Pownal; Robert Carlton, of Freeman Township; Phillip D. Fanning, of Bangor; and Justin Gray, of Gray
•State Harness Racing Commission: Patricia A. Varnum, of Greene; and Harry B. Center II, of Yarmouth
•University of Maine System Board of Trustees: Owen McCarthy, of Gorham; Elise Baldacci, of North Yarmouth; Philip Hussey, of •Scarborough; and William Kemler, of Machias
•Maine Turnpike Authority Board of Directors: Nina A. Fisher, of Farmingdale; and Matthew J. Garside, of Poland
•Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices: Beth Ahearn, of Freeport
•Active Retired Justice of the Maine Superior Court: MaryGay Kennedy of Brunswick
•Maine District Court: Peter L. Darvin, of Portland; Harris A. Mattson, of Holden; and Julia Greenleaf Pitney, of Yarmouth