Synopsis of this year's action: 23 regular meetings; 10 training meetings; 4 responses to accidents; 6 medical assists; 12 fire calls and 4 mutual aid calls.
While the synopsis certainly accounts for the majority of time spent, it does not show the hours spent repairing the trucks and pumps, manufacturing items for the trucks and firehouse, making repairs or modifications to the facility, running to get air bottles filled or radios and pagers repaired. With the advent of the new tanker we have had to watch for ice build up in front of the doors as there is only about 1.5 inches clearance for the truck, and we seem to have had a pretty active snow year. Another time consumer was developing the specifications of the new truck, meeting with the manufacturer, taking trips to Metal-Fab to inspect the truck's progress and having modifications made as needed.


In January 2007 we brought Maine Forest Service to the Department to give training on a sophisticated simulator which demonstrates the problems that can occur in any emergency situation. This month J&J Lumber Mill was destroyed as well as Laverna Williamson's garage.


January also saw Boyd Bradbury leaving the Department after 33 years of service. From 1973 to 1975 he was Assistant Chief under Chief Pete Nelson; from 1975 to 1982 he served as Chief; and from 1982 to 1996 he served as Assistant Chief. A very capable and dependable man, Boyd more than adequately did his duty. Thank you, Boyd.


In February, two trailer truck collisions in two days was a little different. Richard Fazio's garage was destroyed by fire. Tim Larrabee and Darcy Kinney gave CPR training, and Andrew Mott got his First Responder certification.


In April, Bob Collins presented certified training on weapons of mass destruction and hazardous materials to the Fire Department.


May saw a sawdust pile fire at Penner Lumber. The fire attempted to invade his building, but was stopped by the Department.


August 7th saw the arrival of our new tank truck. The truck has a 500 gallon per minute pump and hauls 2500 gallons of water - a tremendous asset to the town. The truck just fits into the building. Much credit goes to Bart Bradbury for overseeing the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. He constantly monitored the course of the grant and his diligence paid off. Thanks also go to Troy Bradstreet and Wayne Bradbury for their unselfish efforts toward the successful attainment of this fire suppression system. The grant awarded in the amount of $175,000.00 of which we paid 5%. A grant from the Forestry Department allowed us to purchase a generator with a flood light attached to it.


In September the Department had to have certified training in Emergency Vehicle Operation as per federal requirements to attain the grant from FEMA. The whole Department took the classroom training but time only allowed for 7 men to take the driving training and become fully certified.


In October the Department was invaded by the children from Bridgewater Grammar School and the Mennonite School. The new truck was a big hit. They also got to see the equipment on the trucks and much of it is used. The children were shown a fireman with an air pack on, and they heard what it sounds like so in the event of a rescue situation they will know by the sound that help is near and not to be afraid. A short discussion followed the instruction on how to exit a building, set up a prearranged meeting place outdoors, and the need for smoke detectors. Ten smoke detectors were distributed to children who had not received one in the previous years. These detectors are acquired from a grant from the Carter family in memory of the two Carter children who lost their lives to fire in 2001.
Chad Dow and Daniel Livesey joined the Department this month. They had just a little time for training before Arlo Johnson's garage fire. Despite whigh winds, the fire was contained to the garage and the house was saved.


The Department made a good save on the Ryan Bradstreet garage fire. Although there was a lot of fire apparatus in the yard, it was the Compressed Air Foam truck that put the fire out thereby qualifying the remark that, "If anything is going to be left, this is the truck that will do it."


Last, I want to thank the officers and men of the Department for their dedication and hard work that makes this Department second to none. We have excellent equipment and even better men!

Thank you,
John N. Barker, Chief