NEW GLOUCESTER — Leaving behind a 26-year firefighting career in Texas, James Ladewig began his duties as New Gloucester fire chief on Feb. 8.
He was among 62 candidates vying for the position left vacant when Gary Sacco retired in November.
“It’s a good fit for me,” Ladewig said.
Ladewig this week talked about his move to Maine where he and his wife, Karen, spent several vacations and always dreamed of living. His son and daughter are college students in Texas.
“Twenty-two years ago, we made the first trip here and my wife has always wanted to come here,” Ladewig said.
Though he rarely dealt with snow in Texas, other weather systems there included challenging floods and tornadoes, he said. On their way north they encountered a blizzard.
Ladewig has 25 years of experience with the Olmos Park Fire Department. He served as assistant chief and emergency management coordinator since 2011. He also is a licensed EMT and served as the EMS coordinator for the department.
The city of Olmos Park is surrounded by San Antonio.
“The department I left had just built a new station in 2010, but the New Gloucester station is much nicer,” he said.
He’s meeting local people, working with town officials and fire and rescue personnel.
“I’m learning the lay of the land and how to access local dwellings. In some cases, access is only possible by driving through an adjacent town to come back and reach dwellings here,” Ladewig said.
He plans to continue work on developing the department. “I’d like more involvement, especially for EMT and Rescue by attracting new individuals to serve,” he said.
He said he understands the big commitment it takes for members who work full-time jobs and the time it takes away from family to serve the community. “Life is more stressful now than it used to be and family time is precious, and it takes the love of wanting to do it,” Ladewig said.
New Gloucester has a population of roughly 5,500 and covers 45 square miles.
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