The Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association honored three members at their annual lobster dinner at the South Bristol Fire Department, Aug. 17.
Former South Bristol Volunteer Fire Department Chief Thurlow “Sonny” Leeman, Bristol Fire Department Asst. Chief Gil Jaeger, and former Portland Fire Department Deputy Chief and Bristol Selectman Bob Tibbetts were recognized for lifelong service to their towns and the firefighting community.
Leeman, winner of the Chief “Bob” Maxcy Lifetime Achievement Award, began his fire service career in the South Bristol Volunteer Fire Department in 1957 at the age of 16. In 1977 he became the South Bristol Assistant Chief and was elected Fire Chief in 1978.
During his tenure, Leeman was instrumental in expanding the South Bristol Fire Department from four vehicles to seven. In 1982 he formed the South Bristol First Responders. From 1991-1994 Leeman oversaw the building of a new fire station in South Bristol, personally spending hours upon hours helping in the construction.
Leeman served as Chief until 2002, before stepping down to take the position of Assistant Chief. In February he retired from his officer’s position to serve as a South Bristol volunteer firefighter, where he began his career over 50 years ago.
“I’ve put a lot of years in, a lot of time. I’ve enjoyed it,” Leeman said.
Bristol Fire Department Asst. Chief Gil Jaeger, also a recipient of the Maxcy Lifetime Achievement Award, began his firefighting career early in his life: Rumor has it that, as a kid, Jaeger donned a plastic red fireman’s hat to aid firefighters called to his house to put out a chimney fire.
As an adult, Jaeger began his firefighting work at St. Hampden College on Long Island, N.Y. In 1976, he returned to Bristol and joined the Samoset Fire Company, where he was instrumental in modernizing the station. In 1988 he became the Assistant Chief of Bristol Fire and Rescue, a position he still holds. Throughout his career he has served as a mentor for other firefighters.
“It’s an honor…to be recognized by your peers is a great thing, “Jaeger said.
“I’ve worked with a great group of guys,” he added.
The Chief “Bob” Maxcy Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a Chief Officer who has been in the fire service for at least 25 years and has “made a difference in the performance of their position and duties through leadership, commitment, or representation for their Department or the Chief’s association.”
Former Deputy Chief Bob Tibbetts, of Bristol, served with Portland Fire Department for over 20 years, attaining the rank of Deputy Fire Chief in the process. As a selectman for the Town of Bristol, Tibbetts naturally developed a strong working relationship with Bristol Fire and Rescue.
During his tenure, Bristol Fire and Rescue expanded its fleet of vehicles by three. After a particular nasty storm, according to Bristol Fire Chief Paul Leeman Jr., who nominated him for the award, Tibbetts would work tirelessly to restore roads back to working condition. According to Chief Leeman, Tibbetts’ cordial relationship with Bristol Fire and Rescue stood in contrast with political wrangling found in other towns.
In his nomination letter, Chief Leeman called Tibbetts a “man’s man of firefighters.”
The Citizens/Community Merit Award is given to an individual or business who has provided emergency or non-emergency assistance to the fire services or citizens of Lincoln County.
Lincoln County Commissioner Lynn Gilley Orne read each nomination before a crowd of 92 firefighters from over 15 communities. Each award winner was given a long standing ovation.
The Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association has held a dinner annually since the 1970s, said Lincoln County 9-1-1 Communications Direction Tim Pellerin.
“It’s a tradition and an honor,” said Pellerin.
The dinner is hosted at the South Bristol Fire Department.
“We love doing it,” said South Bristol Fire Chief Mitch Mitchell who, along with his Assistant Chiefs Mark Carrothers and John Seiders, cooked over 120 lobsters and two bushels of clams along with dozens of hard boiled eggs, ears of corn, potatoes, and onions.
“It’s about 250 years of family, friends, and brotherhood,” Pellerin said, “Everyone eats as one big family for one night.”