Town fire chief to join Burlington Fire Department

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) - The fire chief in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, says he will step down for a new position with the Burlington Fire Department.

The Caledonian Record reports 52-year-old Troy Ruggles told St. Johnsbury officials of his decision Friday. He told the newspaper Monday “it’s time for a change.”

Ruggles has served as the town’s fire chief for 22 years. He will join the Burlington Fire Department as the Battalion Chief of Training in August.

Ruggles will oversee 83 full-time firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians in his new position.

St. Johnsbury Town Manager Chad Whitehead says he has always had a “high level of respect” for Ruggles, and town selectman Kevin Oddy says he is sorry to see him go.

Whitehead says he hopes to name Ruggles’ replacement by August.