Thomas Bates has been appointed chief of the Hancock Fire Department. Bates will replace Nevan Cassidy, who has been the town’s chief for 15 years.
“I would like to thank the members of the Hancock Fire Department and select board for their confidence in my abilities, and more importantly, for giving me this opportunity to serve the community,” Bates said in a news release sent on Monday. “We have a good group of volunteers and I want to see them continue to keep our town protected.”
Cassidy will remain on the department as a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician. Cassidy is stepping down as chief to take a break from the role’s time demands and to allow some new perspective and leadership for the department, according to a prepared statement.
Cassidy said he is looking forward to continue serving on the department and is pleased Bates will now be at the helm.
“It has been my pleasure to lead the dedicated men and women of the Hancock Fire Department,” Cassidy said. “They all have worked hard to make my job easier in serving this town.”
The release calls Bates a veteran firefighter, having served on the Arlington Fire Department in Nebraska for 24 years, six as assistant chief and 13 as chief, and also having served on the Thedford Fire Department in Nebraska.
Bates has worked on the Hancock Fire Department for 15 years, where he has served as a firefighter, EMT and officer. In addition, Bates also works in the fire service professionally, as a sales associate for Armored Textiles Inc., based in Peterborough, which provides a variety of hoses for firefighting, industrial and agricultural uses.
During Cassidy’s term as chief, the department replaced three pieces of fire apparatus and refurbished another and was granted federal funds to help provide nine 100-watt radios and 13 portable radios set up to operate with other state and local agencies.
The department also diversified its volunteers during Cassidy’s tenure.
“I’m proud of the fact that we had only one woman on the department when I came on, and now have seven, about 30 percent of our roster,” Cassidy said.
Select board Chair John Jordan said the board is grateful for Cassidy’s service.
“We are really lucky to have Nevan and other dedicated volunteers serving this town,” Jordan said. “When these folks get the call, whether it’s in the middle of the night or in the middle of a workday, they drop what they’re doing and they respond right away. And they do so with respect and dignity.”
Cassidy’s wife, MaryLou is also stepping down from her position as the department’s treasurer. Siobhan Martin has been elected to take her place. Nevan said he and MaryLou are looking forward to spending a more time with their grandson Ryan.
The department recently elected John Pirkey as first assistant chief and Mark Thompson as second assistant chief. Elected as captains were: Spencer Thompson, Tom Ball and Paul Towers.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.