Wrightsville Beach has filled its open position to head the town’s fire department by tapping the former fire chief of a Massachusetts seaside town that has several similar characteristics.
Glen Rogers brings nearly 30 years of experience working in fire departments of coastal towns, including Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire and Rescue Department in Massachusetts, where he was fire chief from 2012 until December 2015. He started his career in fire service as a firefighter and paramedic with the Falmouth, Massachusetts, fire department in 1986 and in 1999 he was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief and Paramedic.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as fire chief for Wrightsville Beach,” Rogers said in a March 30 press release. “My background in firefighting and emergency management has been in oceanfront communities similar to Wrightsville Beach so it seems to be a natural fit. I am looking forward to leading the dedicated team of firefighters and ocean rescue professionals.”
In recruiting outside of the department, Wrightsville Beach hired a chief with experience leading fire departments serving towns with similar characteristics. Manchester-by-the-Sea is a seaside community located about 45 minutes north of Boston by car. The town had a population of about 5,000, double the approximate 2,500 residents that the 2010 Census counted in Wrightsville Beach. The town has more than 12 miles of beaches and, also like Wrightsville Beach, has a vibrant yachting and fishing community.
Rogers comes into the position after the January retirement of former chief Frank Smith, who worked with the fire department for 29 years. Rogers’ first day in the position will be April 18.
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