A retired Bath firefighter has agreed to serve as Wiscasset Ambulance Service’s interim director effective Sept. 7, following Tuesday’s resignation of longtime director Roland Abbott, Wiscasset Town Manager Marian Anderson announced Sept. 1.

Joseph McCole, a past firefighter of the year, will start Sept. 7 for a stint of up to 90 days; he is not interested in the permanent job, Anderson said.

In a Sept. 1 email to Anderson, Abbott states that he is resigning with deep regret, effective Sept. 14. He is also resigning his posts at the town’s emergency management director and health officer, he writes.

“I have given a lot of years to the service and when I took over as director ... I promised the membership that if my vision as director and the vision of the town or the membership was not the same, I would step back.

“That time has come,” the email continues. “We worked through a lot this spring in keeping the service and I hope the members ... keep on fighting to keep one of the best small ambulance services in the state.”

Selectmen accepted Abbott’s resignation Tuesday night.

“He has been with the ambulance service since (its) beginning, and I sincerely wish him well in all his future endeavors,” Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said in a telephone interview.

Abbott also served 25 years with the Wiscasset Fire Department, Fire Chief T.J. Merry said. Abbott was assistant fire chief when Merry’s grandfather Gordon Merry was chief, he said.

Chief Merry said about Abbott, “He was dedicated, for sure, to both fire and (emergency medical service).”

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Anderson announces Abbott’s resignation and expresses thanks on the town’s behalf to Abbott, “our friend, co-worker and one of the best EMS directors.”

Abbott became director in 2005, according to the release. “Roland worked dedicatedly for many years in many capacities,” Anderson writes. “A true ‘public servant’ who gave his best. His works and efforts to mentor the next generation will be his legacy for years to come. He was a valuable part of our team and will be missed.”

McCole, the temp director, retired in May after 27 years with the Bath Fire Department, according to information Anderson provided Tuesday night. He and his crew got a citation for valor in connection with the rescue of a man and his 4-year-old son from the top floor of a burning building in Bath, the release states.

McCole is also a paramedic and got an award called the Stork PIn for delivering a baby, according to the release.