Maia Coleman
Two young boys were rescued after their inflatable raft drifted offshore near the big bridge on Beach Road Monday, prompting a flurry of response from public safety officials.
Oak Bluffs Fire Department
Big Bridge

2020

The Oak Bluffs fire and EMS department tumbled through a week of turmoil and transition, beginning with the resignation of fire chief John Rose.

In a hastily called emergency session, Oak Bluffs selectmen met Saturday with approximately 35 members of the fire and EMT staff.

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.

What follows is the complete text of the statement read by Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday night.
 
In an effort to reassure that the town is acting responsibly in regard to complaints involving the fire chief, the following points should be made:
 
Management Issues
 

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.

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