Geoffrey McCarren was hired to be fire chief of the Woolwich (Maine) Fire Department in mid March and the Raynham (Mass.) Fire Department has the field of chief candidates narrowed to two.

The reports that McCarren, 36, takes over from Jake Kaiser, who served as interim fire chief. Former fire chief Kenneth Desmond resigned in December 2007. McCarren has been on the department since 1991 and told the paper that he hopes to increase the volunteer department's membership from 15 to 40. His position is part time and pays $6,000 per year. This is a change from 2007 when Desmond served as a full-time fire chief, code enforcement officer/building inspector and emergency management director. That position earned $38,000 per year. Town residents voted to separate the positions in a special meeting, the paper reports.

Selectmen in Raynham are expected to announce their choice for the next fire chief soon, according to the Enterprise News. Both candidates come from within the department. Fire Chief George Andrews will retire in August after 40 years of service.