In hiring and supervising members of his family, Oak Bluffs ambulance and fire chief John Rose broke conflict of interest rules, the state ethics commission said Monday. But the commission declined to fine Mr. Rose or call for a hearing, instead sending a letter explaining requirements of the law.

Oak Bluffs officials stood in a semi-circle on Monday, shovels ready, to mark the beginning of a major construction project. They faced a gray structure that’s been home to the fire department since 1973, but will soon be razed to make way for a new station.

Allan (Buddy) deBettencourt was a teenager when he first joined the Oak Bluffs fire department; at the time his father also was a fireman. Buddy deBettencourt went on to serve 56 years, and with others was recognized in a ceremony last weekend.

Appointed acting chief 10 months ago, John Rose now has a permanent place as head of the town fire department. The vote by the five town selectmen was unanimous on Tuesday night, amid praise for Mr. Rose.

They drive the engines, rescue people, put out fires and know CPR. They have to be prepared for anything — a car under water, a person in cardiac arrest, or a family trapped inside a burning building. Or it could be a false alarm. Meet the Island's call firefighters.

Confirming the first promotions under a restructured force, the Oak Bluffs selectmen this week appointed two men to the upper ranks of the fire department.

Shawn Broadley was named deputy fire chief, and Manuel (Manny) Rose was appointed assistant fire chief.

A caravan-style car drove off the end of the Steamship Authority dock and was trapped underwater with four passengers inside.

This was the premise of a training scenario staged Sunday morning for the Oak Bluffs dive and rescue team.

“An elderly person had a medical event and they gunned it down the terminal,” said Oak Bluffs fire department acting chief John Rose, who conducted the dive team’s first car rescue drill.

After more than a year of discussion, Oak Bluffs is poised to modernize its fire department by creating a new command structure.

The Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday unanimously approved increased annual stipends for the fire department.

When requesting the increase, acting fire chief John Rose said the new stipends are more comparable to the pay scale in other towns.

Traci Monteith is afraid of heights but she loves depths. She’s been diving in Vineyard waters for more than 10 years, but only recently has she been working toward certification as an advanced diver on the Oak Bluffs fire department dive team. On a recent Thursday evening, she wet-suited up alongside two other members of the team for their first night dive.