November 1, 2012
After more than two decades on the job, Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Chief Bill Beazley will retire from the position when his current term ends in January.
"It's just time for me to step down," said Beazley, chief for the past 22 years. "It's been a long spell and I think the department now needs someone else to move it forward."
Beazley, 60, joined the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department nearly 30 years ago, not long after moving to Harpswell. Within a couple of years, he was made assistant chief, then advanced to the top job when former Chief Jess Sylvester stepped down.
"I didn't intend to be chief for as long as I've been," Beazley said. "I enjoyed it tremendously, mostly because of the people involved."
During his tenure, Beazley has seen the all-volunteer department grow from a one-station operation using second-hand and makeshift equipment to a modern, fully trained organization with the latest firefighting and rescue gear housed in buildings on each of the two main islands.
"Physically, everything has changed. When I joined, the ambulance was a van and we were buying used fire trucks after Brunswick was done using them for 20 years," he said. "We've since replaced every piece of apparatus, some of them numerous times."
Beazley credits much of that improvement to the generosity of the community and the town, which has taken on the responsibility of purchasing vehicles for Harpswell's three fire departments. Fund-raising efforts and the annual summer auction -- which has grown into one of the largest community events of the year -- provide most of the funding for other equipment and training used by OBIFD.
"It's a great service the fire department provides to the community and the community is very welcoming to the fire department. It's a great feeling when the community appreciates it," Beazley said.
But challenges remain for the future in the face of rising costs, a shortage of volunteers and increasing training, safety and other regulations. The town's recent move to provide paid emergency medical response during weekdays to augment volunteers raises the question of whether Harpswell will eventually need a full-time, paid fire and rescue service.
Beazley hopes that can be avoided and the tradition of volunteer service will continue.
"We just need to continuously try to figure out how to keep doing this with volunteers," Beazley said. "If we go to a municipal fire department, we'll all see our taxes go up a lot and we'll lose something as a community."
It's that feeling of community that Beazley has enjoyed most about his involvement with the department. He grew up near Niagara Falls in New York -- though his father was from Bucksport -- and came to Maine in the mid-1970s to learn boat-building in Bath. He moved to Orr's Island a few years later.
"What I'm fondest of are the people I met while doing this," Beazley said. "I found it to be a really delightful way to get to know the community."
Beazley said the chief's job has taken up 20 to 30 hours a week, though the random nature of fire and rescue service makes it unpredictable. Most of the calls the department responds to are for medical assistance, along with auto or boat accidents, brush fires and occasional structure fires.
"You never know what you're going to find on a call," he said.
Beazley said he believes the department will be in good hands after he steps down and plans to recommend Deputy Chief Ed Blain for the chief's job when the OBIFD Board of Directors votes on his replacement in January.
"I think Ed's got the qualities needed to carry the department onward," Beazley said.
Blain, who became deputy chief last year, had high praise for Beazley and his leadership.
"Bill has a very even-keel approach especially under pressure or in a crisis," Blain said. "No matter what an incident or fire ground throws at him, he demonstrates a very cool, even demeanor. It instills a lot of confidence in everyone on the scene, which is exactly what is needed."
Rescue Captain Ed Sparks agreed. "He's always laid back and supportive. He's been a great boss."
Andy Paulhus, president of the OBIFD Board of Directors, said Beazley has done a tremendous job overseeing the growth and increasing professionalism of the department and provided consistent leadership as board members have come and gone through the years.
"We have been lucky to have Bill as chief," Paulhus said. "He has performed a great service to the department and the community."
Blain said he knows he will have big shoes to fill if he is promoted to chief.
"Stepping into the job he has excelled in for the past 22 years won't be easy," Blain said. "Fortunately, true to his nature, Bill has offered his support and help to me in any way I request it. That makes the prospect of assuming the chief role a lot less intimidating and will help the department in the transition."
For his part, Beazley said he plans on spending more time with family and his boat repair and carpentry work. His two children, Sarah and Willis, are both grown and married, and Beazley and his wife Kitsie are looking forward to their first grandchild when Willis becomes a father in April.
Yet while he's stepping down as chief, Beazley plans to continue as a firefighter and will respond to emergency calls.
"I can't imagine not being involved with the department," he said. "I've enjoyed it tremendously. I look forward to staying involved."
He knows the department will continue to thrive under its new leadership.
"There are a lot of very capable people here," he said. "This is definitely a team sport."
Deputy Chief Ed Blain also presented Beazley with an engraved plaque “in grateful recognition of staying at the helm and keeping the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department on course for the last 22 years.”
