For the first time in 32 years, the town of Alna has a new fire chief.
During the Alna Volunteer Fire Department’s annual meeting on March 25, the membership elected Assistant Chief Mike Averill to succeed retiring Chief Mike Trask, who has held that post since 1994.
The Alna Select Board officially confirmed Averill’s appointment at its meeting on April 2.
Averill is a 21-year veteran of the Alna Fire Department and has served as Alna’s assistant chief for the last four or five years, he said.
Aside from an ongoing effort to coordinate mutual training with surrounding towns, Averill said he isn’t planning any new programs or policies. Thanks in part to Trask’s efforts, the department is in excellent shape, he added.
“I am not planning anything special,” he said. “We are going to do some more mutual aid training with the towns around us. Get used to working with each other instead of just in the heat of the moment.”
He invited anyone with an interest in the fire department to ask a firefighter, connect through the department’s Facebook page, or stop by the station at 1579 Alna Road, also known as Route 218, on Wednesdays after 6:30 p.m. when the department holds its weekly meetings.
Trask, who succeeded Averill’s father, Jeff Averill, as chief 32 years ago, announced plans to step down earlier this year following a promotion and a related change in his work schedule at his employer, Bath Iron Works.
This story appears through a media partnership with The Lincoln County News.
