BRUNSWICK

In what Brunswick Fire Chief Ken Brillant described as a “huge transition,” three longtime Brunswick Fire Department captains will retire at the end of July, along with three firefighters.

Those retiring take with them more than 150 years of service with the department. The retiring captains have served 88 years as officers.

Capt. Randy Hamilton has been a member of the department for more than 32 years, and Capt. Roger Dionne for more than 31 years. Capt. Ted Albasini joined more than 25 years ago.

Each has served as an officer for at least 20 years, Brillant said Thursday.

Firefighters Kirk Townsend, Ted Snowdon and Shawn Larrabee, who also will retire, have served with the Brunswick Fire Department for 25, 24 and 23 years, respectively.

Following what Brillant described as a “very lengthy and very competitive” process, six members of the department have been promoted as a result of the retirements. The department also hired six new firefighters.

Effective Aug. 1, Chris Fairbanks, Bob Robataille and Matt Barnes will become captains, joining Capt. Derek Klemanski.

Dave Hunter, Steve Emmons and Justin Hagar were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Brillant said “very good candidates” applied, and offered experience and education.

But the promotions are only part of what Brillant described as a “realignment” of the department, which included the new captains working with Brillant to “shake up” which firefighters work with which crews and “help balance out the crews and give (the captains) some input into who would be on their shifts, instead of me sitting down and saying who would be on their shifts. I think it gives them some buyin.”

With six new firefighters hired — one already on duty — Brillant said the department would have a new look.

“It’s a very, very new, different look than we’ve had for many years,” Brillant said of the changes.

Newly hired personnel include firefighter/paramedics Peter Merrow (who has already started) and Dan Nichols; and Alan Boucher, Jason Miller, Mike Dube and Deane Stanton, all firefighters intermediate.

Despite the retirements, Brillant said that with the department’s realignment, “I see some really good things for the future.”