October 6, 2014
Members of the Orrs and Bailey Islands Fire Department recently appeared on television as part of a news segment on driver training and volunteer recruitment for Harpswell's fire and rescue crews.
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| Chief Ed Blain is interviewed by Jared Pelletier |
The second portion of a two-part training program, the session involved hands-on lessons in driving the ambulances, fire engines, tanker trucks and other vehicles used by the Harpswell fire departments. New and veteran members of all three departments attended the training.
The interviews were conducted at the Orr's Island fire station by WGME reporter Jared Pelletier.
The interviews were shown as part of a report which aired on the WGME evening news and again during the 11 p.m. news on October 4.
The interviews were shown as part of a report which aired on the WGME evening news and again during the 11 p.m. news on October 4.
Blain discussed the training program and ongoing efforts to recruit more volunteers for the three departments. Also interviewed were new recruit Katie Hennessey, a prospective firefighter and emergency medical technician, and Ed Levine, an OBIFD board member and volunteer driver.
"It was a great opportunity to show how we keep up on our training as well as get the message out that we need more volunteers to continue to provide high quality fire and rescue service in town," Blain said.
Harpswell's three fire and rescue departments include Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, which serves all of Great Island from the Brunswick line to Stevens Corner Road on Route 24; Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue, which serves all areas off of Route 123, including Mountain Road west of the Ewing Narrows bridge; and the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, which serves Orr's, Bailey and part of Great Island south of Stevens Corner road and east of the Ewing Narrows bridge.
In addition to drivers, the departments are looking for volunteers to fill other high- and low-skill roles, such as emergency medical technicians, firefighters and fire support personnel. Volunteers are also sought to serve on the departments' independent board of directors and help out at community events, such as open houses and fundraisers.