Burnout from 80-hour work weeks during the pandemic caused former Westbrook Fire Department Chief and city Health Officer Andrew Turcotte to resign this fall and the department is trying to keep that from happening again.
The department has created a new deputy chief position specifically to focus on EMS and health duties, parts of the department’s responsibilities that expanded under Turcotte’s tenure, especially during the pandemic.
Turcotte’s long hours prevented him from spending enough time with his family, he told the American Journal Monday, and handling all of the Westbrook department’s public health services, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, added to his workload.
The new position is being advertised now and the chief’s position will likely be advertised in the new year, Mayor Mike Foley said.