JAY — Jay Selectmen voted unanimously Monday night to hire Michael Booker as assistant fire chief for Jay Fire and Rescue effective Sept. 1, said Town Manager Ruth Cushman on Tuesday.

Booker, 29, a captain, has worked for the department for half of his life.

“It will be 15 years on Jan. 1,” Booker said, explaining that he joined at age 14 as a Hot Shot and worked his way up to captain.

The hiring was part of a restructuring of the department under way since interim Fire Chief Randy Berry resigned in March.

Police Chief Larry White has served as public safety director for the past few months and will continue in that position, White said Tuesday.

Along with White’s position, the restructuring included hiring an assistant fire chief, one captain and three lieutenants. The captain and lieutenant positions will be filled next week, White said.

White oversees the administrative side of the department, duties such as payroll, budgeting, billing, ordering equipment and internal issues. The assistant fire chief deals with the day-to-day work involved in fighting fires, White said. One lieutenant position will be a training officer for the department.

“Mike will do an outstanding job and I look forward to working with him,” White said.

As for Booker, who grew up in Jay, he’s happy with the new position and looking forward to the work.

“The best part (of being a volunteer firefighter) is giving back to the community and the hardest is the time commitment,” he said.

abryant@sunjournal.com