PARIS — Dogged by training requirements and facing a charge he improperly started a fire that burned down an unoccupied house, the town’s deputy fire chief will step back and assume a non-managerial role, Fire Chief Brad Frost said Friday. 

The shift, which was effective July 17, will see William Buffington take the position of house captain.

Buffington, who is in his 70s, confirmed the voluntary move, saying in a phone interview he was still a firefighter but health issues wouldn’t let him carry on as he used to.

“I’ll be a member as long as I live,” Buffington said. 

In an interview in his office with Second Deputy Chief Jon Longley, Frost said the new role will be hourly and as needed. Duties involve looking after the building while crews are on calls. 

“He isn’t going anywhere. His expertise from the old days is important, but technology has outpaced us all,” Frost said. 

Buffington, a 50-year veteran of the department, was placed on administrative leave on May 20, nine days after an out-of-control fire destroyed an abandoned home he owned. 

The blaze, which appears to have been set too close to the house, temporarily knocked out emergency calls over land lines for three towns, shut down the road several hours and cost the town $1,300 to clean up. 

Buffington, who has not been allowed to go out on calls since being placed on leave, has pleaded not guilty to a single, misdemeanor count for a burning violation. An arraignment has been scheduled for Aug. 13. 

Frost said he was restricted from talking about the nature of the lapsed training requirements, and that the decision was not related to the fire incident. 

“Not everybody has time for the commitment,” he said. “Willie has another job and a family.”

In addition to court proceedings, the town authorized a third-party, investigative report into the incident. The Sun Journal has filed a Freedom of Access Act request with the town to obtain a copy of the results, which were viewed by selectmen at their meeting Monday evening but not made available. 

Longley praised Buffington for his long dedication to the department, including donations and fundraising efforts saying, “You can’t attach a value to the hours he’s sacrified for us.” 

“The reality is if you’re not training you’ll fall behind,” Longley said of Buffington’s decision. 

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