With Hutchinson out, Lebanon woman is new chief

LEBANON - Jenny Sheriff, a full-time paramedic with American Ambulance of Somersworth, N.H., has been hired as the new Lebanon Rescue Department chief after newly hired chief David Hutchinson resigned abruptly last week.

Hutchinson, who worked full time as director of Strafford County’s Emergency Management Agency, submitted his letter of resignation last Tuesday, said Lebanon Selectmen Chairman Ben Thompson today, noting that the agency’s leadership were wary of Hutchinson becoming too caught up in the drama that has often roiled the town’s Rescue Department.

“His superiors didn’t want drama of Lebanon rescue reflecting poorly on them,” Thompson said today.

Meanwhile, Sheriff, of Lebanon, who returned to Lebanon Rescue recently after Interim Rescue Chief Raymond Parent came onboard in January, is said to command great respect from department volunteers and was the second choice all along with Thompson and Selectman Paul Philbrick.

Along with newly elected Selectman Royce Heath, all three voted to appoint Sheriff at last Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting.

Parent’s official retirement date was Monday.