1999 tested the endurance of the Fire Department Members and their equipment 111 Times. With the dry spring, the forestry related calls we responded to increased proportionally and I expect to see it on the high side again with the lack of snow this winter. Structure fire calls were also on an increase with a greater number of these calls involving home heating equipment. I strongly suggest that all take note of the condition of their heating equipment, whether it be an oil fired furnace or a wood stove, and should you have the slightest worry, contact your licensed maintenance professional for assistance.
During 1999, the your Fire Department responded to the following calls:
Structure Fires 23 Smoke Investigations 4
Forestry Calls 18 Automobile Fires 6
Rescue Calls 4 Mutual Aid 10
Hazardous Materials 8 Assist the Public 8
Fire Alarms 13 Medical Calls 8
Utility Calls 5 Automobile Accidents 4
January brought to the department one of the most innovative and valuable tools for the fire service that I have seen in my 32 years of service; this being the Thermal Imaging camera. Its value rates right up with there with breathing apparatus, Nomex cloth and Class A foam. Through the arduous work of the members of the Southwest Harbor Fire Association, the $19,000 + in funds required to purchase this tool was raised. I applaud the Association and the hundreds of Citizens who contributed to this fund for making the camera available to us. Fortunately, to this date, we have not had to use it to search for any victim of a fire but have used it innumerable times to locate pockets of fire that had spread to areas not easily detected thus minimizing the damage previously required to ensure that no further fire damage would occur.
As evidenced above, the Fire Department has been responding more frequently
to requests for assistance. In past years, the Fire Department responded primarily
to calls involving the investigation or extinguishment of fire related incidents.
This past year found us responding to a greater number of non fire related emergencies
such as hazardous materials incidents and rescue related calls. This trend is
occurring nationwide and requires a shift in the focus of our training and equipment
required to effectively do our job. The increases in the number and types of
calls we respond to is reflected in this years budget request as we have found
that the stockpile of equipment that we keep to handle these varieties of emergencies
is not adequate for the number of calls nor contains the necessary equipment
to deal with them. In addition, with our ageing fire trucks, routine maintenance
becomes more frequent and our mechanics are spending many more hours repairing
problems, time that should be spent in preparing and training for the next emergency
call.
We have included a request in this years budget for the purchase of an additional
fire truck. This truck will not be replacing an existing unit but will instead
be added to bring the capabilities required to both extinguish a fire in the
many new and larger buildings being built and to protect the surrounding properties
that would be threatened.
Adding a truck to the Department brings with it the age old question “Where
will you park it?” Unfortunately no progress was made again during the
past year to begin to solve the dangerously critical need for space for your
public safety departments. As I foresee no progress during this upcoming year,
I can only answer that We will find a place from the dwindling options available
to house this valuable piece of equipment. Lack of space does not diminish the
urgent need for the resources this new truck will provide.
I would like to thank all the Officers and members of the Fire Department for
their for their dedication and professionalism. Having the abilities to deal
with all they are asked to deal with, for little compensation other than a sense
of pride, is proof enough as to why you are one of the finest Fire Departments
in the State.
Respectfully Submitted
Chief Samuel T. Chisholm
Southwest Harbor Fire Department