HATFIELD — After four years leading the Hatfield Fire Department, Stephen P. Gaughan will be stepping down from the position at the end of January.
The Select Board announced at its Sept. 25 meeting that Gaughan, a 23-year-member of the department, had submitted his resignation as he seeks out new professional opportunities.
Gaughan is also a captain and full-time firefighter/ paramedic for the Amherst Fire Department.
“My contract is up and as I pursue other opportunities, I feel it was a good time to transition the department,” Gaughan said.
Gaughan was named chief in November 2015, succeeding William Belden, in overseeing the 25-member department, which is made up primarily of call firefighters and EMTs, along with a 16-hour per week deputy chief.
“Thank you, and we look forward to working with you on moving the department forward in the meantime,” said board member Diana Szynal.
Board member Edmund Jaworski said he appreciated that Gaughan brought the ambulance service up to paramedic level during his tenure.
That happened about two years ago, and Gaughan said it has not only improved the timeliness of care for patients but makes the service more financially stable.
Gaughan said he inherited a well-run department from Belden and over the past four years, he has sought to modernize some aspects, including implementing better record-tracking software and making adjustments to training.
Chairman Brian Moriarty said a search committee will be put together to begin the process of finding a successor.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
