GARDINER — The fire department has made some personnel changes.

Fire Chief Mike Minkowsky said Naas Stephen was hired as a firefighter and paramedic to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Josh LaBonte, who took a position with the Auburn Fire Department.

Naas graduated from Norwich University with a bachelor’s of science degree in communications. He was licensed as a nationally registered paramedic this year after attending Kennebec Valley Community College.

He is a pro board-certified firefighter I and II and has earned professional certifications, according to Minkowsky. He also has been a professional firefighter and is a member of the Gardiner Fire Call Crew. Naas lives in Gardiner with his wife and two children.

The department also promoted Lt. Marcel Deforge to captain of the C shift. Deforge is a 14-year veteran of the department and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2010.

Minkowsky said Deforge is a nationally registered paramedic and is a state-certified firefighter I and II.

He has attained professional credentials in structural firefighting and incident command, Minkowsky said. Deforge also serves as the department’s fleet/equipment manager, overseeing maintenance and use. He lives in Sabattus with his wife and two children.