The deputy fire chief in Tisbury is taking over command of the department as the current chief goes out on paid leave. 

Tisbury town administrator Jay Grande Thursday said that as of 3 p.m., deputy Chief Patrick Rolston would take charge of the fire, ambulance and EMD departments. Chief Greg Leland was going on leave for an undisclosed reason. 

“This is a personal matter which would be inappropriate for me to elaborate on and something that Chief Leland may speak to as he sees fit,” Mr. Grande wrote in an email. 

The leave was non-disciplinary and therefore it was paid, according to Mr. Grande. 

A call to Mr. Leland was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon. 

The town's in-house legal counsel, KP Law, was undertaking a review into the matter, according to Mr. Grande. That review was expected to take two weeks. 

Deputy Chief Rolston was made aware of the Mr. Leland’s leave ahead of time and Mr. Rolston was prepared to assume the responsibilities of the fire chief.

“I know we all appreciate his willingness to step up,” Mr. Grande said. “No further comments will be provided on any pending personnel matters or reviews.” 

The Tisbury select board appointed Mr. Leland in May 2020, promoting him from assistant chief. 

“He has the support of the men and members of the department,” retiring Chief John Schilling said of Mr. Leland at the time.