The Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department has some new leadership for both its responding members and governing board.
Phil Taylor of Bailey Island, has been promoted to assistant chief while firefighter Dan Reynolds of Great Island was named a captain of the volunteer fire department.
The promotions were recently announced by fire Chief Benjamin A. Wallace Jr. and ratified by the department’s corps of responding members.
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| Dan Reynolds, left, and Phil Taylor |
A former military and civilian pilot, who primarily flew helicopters, Taylor has lived part time on Bailey Island since 1997 and moved to town permanently after retiring a couple of years ago. He and his wife, Liz, are the parents of two adult sons, Alex and Eric.
Reynolds, 26, of Great Island, also joined the department two years ago and graduated from the regional fire school. A Freeport native, he is an engineer at Bath Iron Works.
In addition to the two new officers, OBIFD responders also ratified the reappointments of fire Captain Bill Beazley and Rescue Captain Cathy Piffath.
Beazley, of Orr’s Island, is a former long-time chief who retired from the job in 2013, but returned on a temporary basis last year before Wallace, who is also the Cundy’s Harbor chief, was named to the position.
The most experienced active member of the department, Beazley became a captain last year and agreed to stay in the role to maintain seasoned leadership for the many younger volunteers.
Piffath, also of Orr’s Island, was named captain on the department’s ambulance service last year.
Meanwhile, the department’s Board of Directors also welcomed new leadership earlier this year.
Bob Garver of Bailey Island, who had been the board secretary, was elected the new president, replacing Mike Helfgott, who spent several years in the job and had reached the maximum term allowed under the department’s bylaws.
Garver, who owns Wicked Joe Coffee of Topsham with his wife, Carmen, joined the OBIFD board two years ago.
“I know I have some huge shoes to fill replacing Mike, who provided the department with tremendous leadership through some difficult times,” Garver said. “I am confident that we can continue his legacy by working together to meet the many challenges and changes facing us in the months and years ahead.”
The Board of Directors also elected Mary Morgan of Bailey Island as Vice President and Tim Prindall of Orr’s Island as secretary, and re-elected Greg Leonard of Bailey Island as treasurer.
Elected as new members of the board were Christine L. Donovan-Hall, Stephanie Petkers, Paul Stoler and Doug Warren, all of Orr’s Island.
“We have a great crew of responding volunteers and supportive board members who are truly committed to serving our community and living up to the department motto of ‘Neighbors helping Neighbors’,” Garver said.
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. It works in collaboration with the Cundy’s Harbor and Harpswell Neck fire and rescue departments and the town’s full-time contracted paramedic service.
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.