1996 was a very busy year for the Fire Department. We responded to 73 requests for assistance, including a rising number of Hazardous Material calls. Again this past year, the number of Grass or related calls was far below the state average and this pays tribute to our citizens care in the handling of open air burning.
We responded to the following calls during 1996:
Structure Fires 9 Chimney Fires 3 Automobile Fires 5
Brush/Grass 3 False Alarms 10 Mutual Aid Calls 12
Hazardous Materials 8 Auto Accidents 4 Smoke Investigations 7
Power Lines 4 Public Assists. 4
During November of 1996, we met with the Fire Insurance Underwriters and after
reviewing the changes in the equipment, manpower and training that the department
has done since the last review during July of 1994, we were advised that we
will see an improvement of at least 1 rating or much as 2. This will mean a
savings to all property owners on their Fire Insurance Premiums!. Some of these
changes and additions included: The addition of Engine Company 105, a Pierce
Pumper with a capability of suppling 1,500 Gallons of water Per Minute to a
fire. This truck came with many other capabilities that were badly needed by
the town for fire protection
We did extensive training in both Hazardous material emergences, and other rescue
techniques and this training was put to good use during the year with the number
of calls to hazardous material emergencies, auto accidents and other related
emergencies.
The Southwest Harbor Firefighters Association was formed to provide both the
Department Members and other interested persons the opportunity to participate
in activities not directly related to firefighting. The Association held it’s
first Hunters Breakfast During November of this past year with Rave reviews.
Any monies raised during these events will be used for Fire Protection programs
and other public service programs for our community.
September saw our department along with companies from each department on the
island as well as companies from as far away as Surry and Sorrento participating
in a large training exercise in Somesville. Over the past two years, The Mount
Desert Island Fire Departments have been training together to develop a “one
Department” concept. This training exercise provided us the opportunity
to test this training. We found that all the time and effort put into the common
training came together as people from many different departments worked as a
single unit. This Team work will be ever so important should a major fire occur
anywhere on the island drawing on the resources of each of our towns.
We have noted that at least half of the buildings in town are now displaying
their new Street Numbers but there are still quite a few that are not. We cannot
encourage you all enough to please take the time and put up your house numbers.
The time that it will save should we have to come to your home may make the
difference between saving what you have worked so hard for and not.
The policy for burning permits will remain the same for 1997, and all residents
are reminded to come to the Dispatchers office at the town office for a burning
permit before conducting any outside burning.
I would like to thank all the members of the Fire Department including Asst.
Chiefs Jack Martel and Bert Willey, Hal Hall and Scott Wlley and all the other
members that have put so much of their time into providing this valuable service.
Respectfully Submitted
Chief Samuel T. Chisholm
Southwest Harbor Fire Department