The West Tisbury fire department placed John Rose on indefinite suspension in mid-December, after a court granted a harassment prevention order against the former Oak Bluffs fire chief.

Eighteen graduates of the All-Island Firefighter I/II course received their certificates Tuesday night, having completed 145 hours of training since last October.

A state Department of Environmental Protection investigation found the West Tisbury fire station to be a contributor of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the area’s groundwater supply, affecting nearby wells.

Greg Pachico will be West Tisbury’s next fire chief, following a unanimous vote Wednesday by the town selectmen. “He both has a vision for the future and a respect for the traditions of the fire department, board chairman Cynthia Mitchell said.

After interviewing three finalists, the town board of selectmen will deliberate and make the final choice next Wednesday.

Two West Tisbury firefighters and an officer with the West Bridgewater fire department have been named finalists.

The $73,429 state grant will allow West Tisbury to partner with the RAND Corporation to bolster its emergency facilities in the face of growing climate threats.

West Tisbury firefighters knocked down a smoky house fire at 50 Bradley Martin Road in the Tiah’s Cove section of town Tuesday evening.

West Tisbury fire and police personnel banded together Friday morning to rescue a horse named Max from a swimming pool. Sgt. Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter played a key role in leading the horse to safety.

Beneath a clear blue sky, children scrambled up the steps of fire trucks and parents peeked inside police cruisers at the West Tisbury public safety building open house on Saturday.