Lebanon Fire Chief Wood announces retirement

Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood (Courtesy photo)

LEBANON - Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood, with some 50 continuous years under his belt in service to Lebanon Fire, submitted his official letter of resignation on Monday.

Wood said in the letter addressed to Lebanon's Board of Selectmen that he had stated "during our meeting on Oct. 16 that with the changes being made to the procurement system it would be best to change the leadership now before the upcoming budget discussions for next year."

Wood said in the letter he would be happy to stay on as chief until a replacement is found. He also told selectmen he would continue to work part time doing fire reports, record keeping and other station work as needed.

He said he would also fully train the new chief for Fire Department accounting, reporting and record keeping.

A town email bulletin regarding Wood's retirement was released this afternoon. "We'll really miss him. It's a loss for us all," said Selectman Royce Heath today.

Wood started with Lebanon Rescue in 1964 and became deputy/assistant chief in 1966. He became chief in 2001.

Asked today how Ginger, his faithful companion, fire dog and department mascot, was taking it, he quipped, "She doesn't know yet."