TOPSHAM
After a thorough search, Topsham has a new fire chief.
Chris McLaughlin is taking over the post vacated in July when Brian Stockdale left to become Lewiston’s fire chief. He officially begins his duties on April 2.
“I look forward to the challenge,” said McLaughlin. “I really think it’s a perfect fit for me for where I am in my career.”
McLaughlin has served as the deputy fire chief in West Gardiner, and as a full-time firefighter in Augusta.
According to Town Manager Rich Roedner, McLaughlin’s leadership style is participative, not as authoritarian.
“I think Chris will be an outstanding and effective leader for our fire department as it continues to grow and change to meet the challenges of the years to come,” Roedner wrote in a memo to the select board. “I believe the traits he brings are the very traits our department is seeking.”
A lengthy process led to McLaughlin’s selection, with the search restarted in October after an initial pool of candidates didn’t possess all the qualities the town was seeking. At that time, Roedner appointed a staff committee, including an outside fire chief, to conduct preliminary interviews.
Discussions with department personnel at the start of the process helped Roedner develop a list of traits desirable in a candidate.
With a unanimous recommendation from the committee, McLaughlin was then interviewed by Roedner and appointed by selectmen last week.
“I was extremely impressed with his background, his hands-on experience, his educational background, and his approach to people,” Roedner stated.
chris@timesrecord.com
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