November 15, 2013
Responding to a severe shortage of qualified first responders, Harpswell's three volunteer fire and rescue departments are joining forces to sponsor a training program they hope will add to the ranks of emergency medical technicians in town.
Responding to a severe shortage of qualified first responders, Harpswell's three volunteer fire and rescue departments are joining forces to sponsor a training program they hope will add to the ranks of emergency medical technicians in town.
The three departments have traditionally relied on volunteers to provide both medical rescue and firefighting services, but a declining number of volunteers have put that system in jeopardy. The town already has paid emergency medical service, provided by a paramedic from Mid Coast Hospital, for 12 hours a day, and is expected to provide 24-hour coverage at least from January 1 through March, when town meeting will be asked to make the arrangement permanent.
But even with professional help, volunteers are still needed to provide first, immediate response to medical emergencies and transport patients to hospitals in the department ambulances.
While the volunteer ranks have been dwindling for some time, the problem has reached crisis levels with the pending retirement of Orr's and Bailey Islands Rescue Captain Ed Sparks and his wife, Colette. Their departure will leave the department with just one qualified EMT, and that volunteer currently lives out of town.
"We need to train EMTs to be able to continue providing coverage," said Ed Blain, chief of the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department. "We have four people signed up and have a few others considering the class, but we need as many people as we can get from all parts of town."
The class will begin on January 21 and run for 12 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9:30 or 10 p.m., along with a few Saturdays. Classes will be held at the Orr's Island fire station on Route 24 and all costs will be covered by the fire departments for approved applicants.
Upon completion of the class, successful graduates will be eligible for the state license exam. EMTs receive ongoing training, uniforms, equipment and, in some cases, stipends for their work.
The sponsoring departments include Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue, Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, and the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, which serves Orr's, Bailey and part of Great Island south of the Nazarene Church on Route 24.
Anyone interested in signing up for the course, or getting more information, is asked to contact Blain, who is handling inquiries on behalf of all the departments. He can be reached at 833-5199 or ed.blain@obifd.org via email.
Blain urged Harpswell residents with any interest in the fire or rescue service to consider volunteering, regardless of whether they can commit to the EMT class.
"You don't have to be an EMT or firefighter to help, though that is the ultimate level of service," Blain said. "We desperately need drivers for the trucks, ambulance and even the paramedic car that has to be driven to the hospital on every call. Traffic control, helping with monthly maintenance or assisting with property maintenance are other ways to help out."