The town select board appointed deputy chief Stephen Foster to the permanent post Tuesday night. Mr. Foster will take the helm of the department on Dec. 21, when Chief Nelson Wirtz retires.

Chief Nelson Wirtz, who has served as chief since 2021, said Wednesday he will step down in December, largely to spend more time with his family.

The search for a new fire chief has begun in Oak Bluffs after selectmen signed off on a list of criteria this week recommended by the town’s interim emergency management team.

Former Oak Bluffs fire and EMS chief John Rose will receive around $100,000 in a retirement package that includes a lump-sum payout and other perks.

John Rose, the embattled Oak Bluffs fire chief who has been under pressure for months following allegations of misconduct, has agreed to resign.

For much of the past decade, the Oak Bluffs ambulance reserve fund has held hundreds of thousands of dollars for the town.

Under pressure to clarify the status of fire chief John Rose following a settlement involving sexual harassment claims, selectmen stood behind their embattled department head.

Meeting over a period of months beginning last summer, the Oak Bluffs selectmen were deeply torn over whether to fire John Rose for inappropriate behavior and lying about it, executive session minutes show.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting an inquiry into the Oak Bluffs EMS and fire department, multiple sources familiar with the investigation have confirmed.

The town has settled sexual harassment and discrimination claims against its fire chief John Rose, agreeing to pay former fire department administrator Cynthia Hatt $97,500.