Lewiston Fire Chief Paul M. LeClair has been named the Lewiston-Auburn 911 Communications Center director, effective March 1.

The committee announced its selection Friday, saying LeClair will “continue his public safety career with an organization he has been engaged with since its formation in 1996.”

He has been serving as interim 9-1-1 director since November 2016.

This appointment means LeClair will step down from his role as Lewiston fire chief.

“I leave the LFD with many fond memories and stories to recall,” he said. 

He said he is proud to continue to serve as a leader of a public safety agency in the community.

“I wish to thank and acknowledge all those who have positively impacted my professional career and personal development,” he said. “I especially wish to recognize my wife, Terri, and family for their support of my career as a firefighter.”

He said he is looking forward to the challenge and opportunity to work with the staff, dispatchers and agencies of L-A 911.

“I have all the confidence in the world in the members of the Lewiston Fire Department as they go forward. They do an amazing job each day in an ever-changing world, and they serve the community proudly,” LeClair said.

Mayor Robert E. Macdonald said, “9-1-1 will greatly benefit from his knowledge and expertise within the field of public safety.”

City Administrator Edward A. Barrett said, “Paul has been a terrific fire chief and key member of our management team. His strong leadership, teamwork and positive approach to the department and community will be missed.”

“The good news,” Barrett said, “is that he will continue to be an important member of our region’s public safety system. We look forward to continuing to work closely with him as he assumes his new responsibilities at L-A 911.”