End of an era: York Village Fire Chief Chris Balentine passes the torch after 39 years

YORK, Maine — Chris Balentine, long at the helm of York Village’s volunteer fire force, has retired after nearly four decades to make way for new leadership.

Balentine's retirement was effective June 1 after 39 years as chief of the York Village Fire Department. He joined in 1972 as a third-generation volunteer firefighter and rose through the ranks from lieutenant to captain, assistant chief, and then chief in 1985.

Balentine said he could have made it to the 40-year mark but said the timing was right for him to step down for his family and the department.

“We want to do some travel,” Balentine said.

Another factor, he said, was the need for the department to put more focus on fire prevention and training. While Balentine is retiring as chief, he plans to stay on as the department's fire marshal.

Balentine said serving in the Fire Department is like a brotherhood that he’s grateful to have had in his life. His son is a member of the department, and he said his grandson could eventually bring his family to five generations of York firefighters.

“It gets in your blood,” Balentine said.

Balentine’s successor is a firefighter who has served with him for all but seven years of the outgoing chief’s career. Assistant Chief David Apgar took over as chief effective June 1, having served in the department since 1979.

Apgar said he has only ever known Balentine as a leader in the department.

“I always joke that I’m Mac Jones and he’s Tom Brady,” Apgar said. “He’s a legend.”

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Balentine joined York Village Fire Department 39 years ago

Balentine was a young boy when he was exposed to the career of firefighting. York has two separate departments in town, one covering the village and the other department being the York Beach Fire Department with its own chief.

Firefighters in both departments have families of firefighters that go back generations, just like Balentine’s family. His great, great-grandfather Elijah was a firefighter who lived in a house that still sits next door to the department on York Street.

Balentine said his firefighting father inspired him by taking him to events like parades where fire engines sounded their sirens. He also watched his father respond to fires and sensed the camaraderie felt by the members of the department. When he joined, he said he experienced the excitement and the brotherhood as well.

“It’s an adrenaline thing. It’s a camaraderie thing,” Balentine said. “It’s one of those things where you get in the band, and you’re close with the brothers and sisters.”

Balentine said he and the other firefighters in his generation “cut their teeth” fighting fires in old structures more likely to go up in flames than modern construction. He recalled one of the first big fires he responded to was at York’s grammar school, where he and his fellow firefighters attended as children.

The fire was started by some students who Balentine said wanted a day off from school. He recalled their intention was not to burn the whole building down.

“They got a day off alright,” Balentine said. “Took the whole place down, and it was pretty catastrophic.”

Balentine said a big part of the job he has enjoyed is being in the town where he grew up and connecting with the community. Being a small-town chief, he said, means the department has more time to lend a hand to neighbors in need.

When the owner of the Sun Drop Café near the department waved down Balentine for help to fix his sign, the department sent over a ladder to help him reach it. Balentine said he gets a wave every time he drives by there now, which is common with people the department has helped over the years.

“It’s just a thank you,” Balentine said. “It’s all we get for excitement, and that’s plenty good.”

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Balentine leaves behind a 'young man’s game'

Balentine said he sees his retirement as “passing the baton” to Apgar as he steps aside from the leadership position. He said the department has a class of five students, who are coming in to become firefighters this year and that the roster is full.

“It’s a younger man’s game nowadays,” Balentine said. He said his moving aside allows talented firefighters to move up in the chain of command to be lieutenant and captain.

“Some of them are very much ready to take on a little more responsibility,” Balentine said.

Balentine said his new job as fire marshal will be helpful as the town is expected to see new development in the future. He said working with builders on fire safety will help Apgar focus on other administrative duties.

Town officials say Balentine will be missed and is thanked for the years he has given to the town.

Selectboard Chair Todd Frederick said Balentine’s willingness to continue serving as the department’s fire marshal is welcome, and his years of service are more than commendable.

“Sincerely, my hat’s off,” Frederick said. “You don’t find a lot of people that give that kind of time to their community. That’s a testament to how he feels about it.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York Village Fire Chief Chris Balentine passes torch after 39 years