A legislative committee voted unanimously Friday in favor of confirming former Waterville fire Chief Shawn Esler as Maine’s next state fire marshal, a move that comes amid recent concerns about the workplace culture in the fire marshal’s office.

The Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 9-0 in favor of Esler’s appointment, which now advances to the Maine Senate for final approval. The Senate is scheduled to meet Oct. 10 to take up several confirmation appointments, including Esler’s.

Chief Shawn Esler of the Waterville Fire-Rescue Department, pictured here on the scene of a fire in downtown Waterville last year, is stepping down from his city role to become the new state fire marshal. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel file

“What makes me the ideal candidate to lead the fire marshal’s office is my ability to relate to those around me, my experience related to personnel management and my eye on the future,” Esler told the committee during a hearing Friday in Augusta. “If confirmed, I will safeguard taxpayers’ funds and I will enhance the services our state has come to expect.”

Esler, of Albion, has served as Waterville chief since 2018 and announced earlier this month that he would be leaving after being nominated to serve as fire marshal. A Waterville official confirmed Friday that Esler’s last day on the job there was last week.

The fire marshal’s office, which is a bureau within the Department of Public Safety, oversees investigations into fires and explosions and enforces life safety codes for buildings. If confirmed for the top job in the office, Esler would earn a salary of $131,726.

Esler’s move to the Office of State Fire Marshal follows concerns about misogyny, a hostile work environment and culture in the office. In 2023, complaints about the workplace culture and treatment of fire victims surfaced during confirmation hearings for former Fire Marshal Richard McCarthy, who retired in August, and a survey by lawmakers resulted in additional complaints.

In December, the Maine Labor Relations Board found the office violated employees’ collective bargaining agreement and infringed on union rights with changes to mileage reimbursements and the way employees swap shifts, and anti-union comments made by a lieutenant.

McCarthy told lawmakers in May that the office was “heading in the right direction” and that positive changes had been made to improve workplace culture and morale, though the executive director of the union that filed the complaint with the board said at the time there was still more work to be done.

Asked by lawmakers about a hostile work environment, retaliation and fear of reporting concerns in the office, Esler said Friday that he is aware of such concerns and will address them. He said he would lead by example in illustrating how the office should be run and that he would be available and approachable for employees.

He also said he would solicit feedback from employees at all levels to confirm what the current conditions are. “Through employee feedback and those one-on-one conversations I’m going to have in the next four months, I’m going to develop a task list, a plan forward essentially, for the office that has direct employee input,” Esler said.

He said he still has a lot to learn about the office that will also inform his approach. “Success isn’t by accident, it’s intentional,” Esler said. “So we’re going to try and intentionally be successful here.”

Several people testified in support of Esler’s appointment Friday, including Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck.

“Shawn’s strong Maine fire service background and practical experience as a proven change agent, with excellent communication and collaboration skills, made him a perfect fit for the mission and situation in the fire marshal’s office,” Sauschuck said.

Ken MacMaster, a senior investigator in the fire marshal’s office, said he was happy to hear Esler being considered for the job and said he has a reputation for honesty and fairness. MacMaster said Esler has already been on the job and met with investigators earlier this week.

“To say that hasn’t happened before would be an understatement, because it hasn’t,” MacMaster said. “A person in a position of authority over us, in a leadership role in our office, sitting down and speaking with the investigators hasn’t happened in the 18 years I’ve been there. It’s as simple as that. He sat down and listened and said, ‘We’re not always going to agree,’ and we get that.”