Chief Kindelan is the “newcomer” in the Spring 2024 “Natives & Newcomers” column. To read about “native” Ret. Chief Michael Thurlow, click here.

Neighborhood: Dunstan Village

In Scarborough since: 2016

Moved here from: Yarmouth

Grew up in: Southington, Connecticut

What brought you here?

When I joined the Air Force, I was first stationed at Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine. That was how I first came to Maine. I left to finish my military service but I came back once my military commitment was fulfilled. After working my way through the ranks in a few separate communities. I accepted my first chief officer position as Deputy Fire Chief in the Town of Yarmouth. After five years with Yarmouth, then I moved to Scarborough after I accepted a similar position with the Town Old Orchard Beach Fire Department ultimately landing with the Town of Scarborough.

What about Scarborough stood out to you when you first got here?

What I really liked was the sense of community. I didn’t want just to be a public official. I wanted to be part of a community. I like everyone coming together for things like the Project Grace Fuel Rally, National Night Out, and Summerfest. The department had a lot of room to grow both personally and professionally. This offered me an opportunity to really challenge myself.

Is there something that to you represents the best of Scarborough?

I really like the team concept that’s happening with the town leadership. The department heads are great colleagues. We celebrate each other’s successes and stand by each other when challenges arise. The two storms we just had in January are a good example. Everyone stepped up to help me to quickly submit a public assistance package to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Without the leadership team and their staff, this would have been an impossible task.  

What about working at the fire department do you think would most surprise people?

There’s a lot of work we do that’s not emergent. We’re not just lights and sirens. There are a lot of day-to-day functions that we perform including public education, and life safety inspections. We are a full-service, all hazards department. We get so much great support from this town – we never say “no”. We respond to every call, even the cat-in-the-tree ones.

What about the department are you most proud of?

The people. I wouldn’t be successful without them. Within a few years, they made it through the transition between chiefs and deputy chiefs. They have been resilient, eager, and supportive. I’m proud of each and every one of them. It’s not an easy job and they do it well.

What changes or improvements do you hope to see in the next few years?

There is a clear need to make investments in the department for staff. In the past, the department had a large number of volunteers. For a variety of reasons people just aren’t able to volunteer like they used to. We’ve begun transitioning to hiring more full-time staff to provide a more predictable response posture for the entire community. Many people don’t realize that adding one full-time position to the fire department, means hiring four individuals to ensure consistent coverage amongst all four shifts.  This is how we maintain a 24/7 365 service.   

What is the biggest challenge for the department right now?

Staffing! We’re very supported by the community but the availability of the workforce is just not there. We had six openings recently and were only able to fill four.

We are also focusing on mental health within the department. This isn’t an easy job and some calls are traumatic. We need to ensure people sustain their mental health to get them through their careers. The department has developed a peer support team whose members are trained to recognize problems and support their coworkers.

What is your greatest hope for Scarborough?

My greatest hope is that our community members feel safe while living, working and passing through our community!

What’s something no one in town knows about you?

My son is also in the public safety field. He is a Sheriff’s Deputy, K9 officer with the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office and the father of my three wonderful granddaughters: Madilynn, Makelle, and Misla.

As a Scarborough native, what perspectives did Chief Thurlow bring to the table that helped you when you first arrived?

Chief Thurlow always offered historical perspective and his vast experience that has been invaluable to me. When I was hired as his deputy chief of EMS, he was an amazing mentor to me. Looking back, I feel he was quietly grooming me to provide me with the greatest chance to take over without me even realizing it. He really helped prepare me. When he retired, he left a wonderful gift for me that included a letter with valuable information, tips, and advice on pitfalls to avoid. I credit a great deal of my success to Chief Thurlow.

Many thanks to Chief Kindelan for all he does for our community. To read about Scarborough’s former fire chief, Michael Thurlow, click here.