NANTUCKET – After 22 months on the job, Nantucket Fire Chief Paul Rhude has resigned, and is set to return to Cape Cod this month as chief of the Cotuit Fire Department.
Rhude began his career with Cotuit, joining the department at the age of 17, and while thinking Nantucket would be the last stop in his career, he says he’s looking forward to coming full circle.
“I’m not looking to come in and make huge changes,” Rhude said. “I’m looking forward to coming in and seeing what they need, seeing what the community needs and making sure our mission statement lines up with the community needs and getting to work.”
While enjoying his time with the Nantucket Fire Department, Rhude’s family was still living on the Cape, and he was unable to find affordable housing.
“It’s a big problem for everybody, and it was a big problem for me and my family,” Rhude said. “The town provided some housing for a period of time which is about to run up, so it just made sense for me to find a place where I can house my family.”
Rhude will replace Chief Christopher Olsen, who’s set to retire in July.
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