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| Chief Walter Johnson |
A veteran volunteer with deep roots in the community has been named the new chief of the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.
Walter Johnson was promoted to the post by the OBIFD Board of Directors. He replaced Ed Blain, who resigned the position after two years because of personal business commitments.
“I have some big shoes to fill, but hopefully I can live up to everybody’s expectations,” said Johnson, a 19-year department veteran. “I enjoy helping the community. I’ve always done it.”
Johnson’s family goes back about a dozen generations in the islands on his father’s side and several on his mother’s side. He grew up on Orr's Island and was in the last class which graduated from the old Orr’s Island Schoolhouse, which is now owned by the fire department.
Johnson, 63 in March, still lives on Orr’s Island. His wife, Sally Brooks, a beloved local school teacher, passed away last year.
Johnson’s interest in the department began when he was a child. In those days, a siren would sound to alert the volunteers and Johnson and his boyhood pals would often chase the fire trucks on their bicycles and watch the firefighters work.
As an adult, his work in commercial construction took Johnson out of town for many years, but once he settled down after three decades on the road, he joined the department. He has since served 14 years as a captain and became assistant chief two years ago, when Blain replaced longtime Chief Bill Beazley, who retired after many years on the job.
Johnson, 63 in March, still lives on Orr’s Island. His wife, Sally Brooks, a beloved local school teacher, passed away last year.
Johnson’s interest in the department began when he was a child. In those days, a siren would sound to alert the volunteers and Johnson and his boyhood pals would often chase the fire trucks on their bicycles and watch the firefighters work.
As an adult, his work in commercial construction took Johnson out of town for many years, but once he settled down after three decades on the road, he joined the department. He has since served 14 years as a captain and became assistant chief two years ago, when Blain replaced longtime Chief Bill Beazley, who retired after many years on the job.
“Walter has been a member of the department for over 15 years. He is well trained and versed in the operations of the department,” said Blain, who recommended Johnson for the job. “His prior roles in the rescue and fire service, truck captain and assistant chief make him well qualified for the job. The fact that he was born on the islands and is well known in the community is an added benefit.”
Blain, who became chief in early 2013, said he recently had to return to his former position as chief executive officer of a health care company in Massachusetts, which requires frequent travel out of state for days at a time. As a result, Blain said he had no choice but to give up the chief’s position.
Blain, 57, said he and his wife, Laurie, both department volunteers and trained emergency medical technicians, also plan on moving from Bailey Island, ending their long service to OBIFD.
Blain, 57, said he and his wife, Laurie, both department volunteers and trained emergency medical technicians, also plan on moving from Bailey Island, ending their long service to OBIFD.
“My 10 years with the department have provided some of the best experiences of my life,” Blain said.
Mike Helfgott, president of the OBIFD Board of Directors, said Blain had done a remarkable job as chief and brought many updates and improvements to the department.
Mike Helfgott, president of the OBIFD Board of Directors, said Blain had done a remarkable job as chief and brought many updates and improvements to the department.
“He assumed the position of chief just at the time when his talents were needed to help our department confront the many challenges we, and emergency services in general, are facing,” Helfgott said. “Under his leadership we made immense gains in recruiting new responders, updating our many procedures, training our members, and bringing us and keeping us current in the increasingly important area of compliance. Along the way, Ed -- working with the town's other chiefs -- helped champion our collective effort to make all of us interoperable, thereby improving the service to the people of Harpswell.
“Besides all of that, he is a great friend whose wise counsel I'll miss," Helfgott said.
But he said the department is good hands with the new chief.
“Besides all of that, he is a great friend whose wise counsel I'll miss," Helfgott said.
But he said the department is good hands with the new chief.
“I'm a firm believer that the right candidate comes along just when their particular skills are needed,” Helfgott said. “Just as we needed Ed Blain's talents to help us effect an awful lot of change, Walter is just the right person to help us consolidate the many changes we've made and bring a new level of stability to the department.
“More than that, I know that Walter is committed to working as a team to help us continue to successfully confront the many headwinds we continue to face. I share his goals of what lies ahead for the department in the next and coming years: recruitment, training, compliance and fiscal stability,” Helfgott said.
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| Former chiefs Bill Beazley, left, and Ed Blain, center, with new OBIFD Chief Walter Johnson |
“Ed’s been an excellent chief. He left the department in good shape,” Johnson said. “We now have to continue that great job.”
Johnson has reappointed Cindy Watson of Bailey Island as captain in charge of the rescue unit. Steve Galhardo and Dan Perry will remain as fire captains and Watson and firefighter/rescue driver Jim Whittaker will be in charge of training. Lt. Steve Minkowsky will remain as compliance officer. Johnson said the assistant chief position will remain vacant for now.
In addition to naming Johnson as chief, the OBIFD Board of Directors also welcomed several new members following its annual reorganization in late January.
Joining the board for three-year terms are first-time members Bob Garver, Deane Kennedy and Mary Morgan, and former board member and rescue volunteer Brad McFadden.
They replace Maureen Anthoine-Orlandini, Ed Levine and Venise Minkowsky, who have all served the maximum of six consecutive years on the board, and Betsy Leland, who left because of increased business commitments.
In addition to those new members, Whittaker was appointed to fill the remaining two years of Johnson’s term as a responding board member. As chief, Johnson is automatically a board member.
The OBIFD board also saw changes in most of its officers. Helfgott was re-elected president of the board, while Catherine Birkinbine of Orr’s Island is vice president, Greg Leonard of Bailey Island is treasurer and Tim McCreight of Great Island is the new secretary.
OBIFD is an all-volunteer department which provides fire and medical rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24, including Long Point, and Mountain Road east of the Ewing Narrows bridge.
In addition to naming Johnson as chief, the OBIFD Board of Directors also welcomed several new members following its annual reorganization in late January.
Joining the board for three-year terms are first-time members Bob Garver, Deane Kennedy and Mary Morgan, and former board member and rescue volunteer Brad McFadden.
They replace Maureen Anthoine-Orlandini, Ed Levine and Venise Minkowsky, who have all served the maximum of six consecutive years on the board, and Betsy Leland, who left because of increased business commitments.
In addition to those new members, Whittaker was appointed to fill the remaining two years of Johnson’s term as a responding board member. As chief, Johnson is automatically a board member.
The OBIFD board also saw changes in most of its officers. Helfgott was re-elected president of the board, while Catherine Birkinbine of Orr’s Island is vice president, Greg Leonard of Bailey Island is treasurer and Tim McCreight of Great Island is the new secretary.
OBIFD is an all-volunteer department which provides fire and medical rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24, including Long Point, and Mountain Road east of the Ewing Narrows bridge.
For more information on OBIFD or joining the volunteer crew, visit www.obifd.org or the town-wide recruitment and information site at www.harpswellfireandrescue.org.