Fire Department - FY 24

Assumed Outcomes:

• To provide effective emergency response to citizens;
• To be highly responsive to community needs and safety;
• To effectively prevent fire and EMS emergencies; 
• To decrease town liability.

Mandates:

• 24 hr/day emergency response with a minimum of 5-person staffing - Local 
• Support for UMaine with EMS, fire, code, planning, and other safety initiatives - Local 
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance - Federal
• Maine Emergency Medical Services licensing requirements - State 
• 2 Paramedics per shift in accordance with CBA language - Local
• One officer on Shift to maintain a minimal level of supervision - Local 
• Bureau of Labor Standards structural fire attack requirements (2 in/2 out) - State/Federal 
• Special rescue training and recertification - State/Federal
• Serving as the regional Haz-Mat for Penobscot County - Local/County
• Compliant with Maine Emergency Management regulations for maintaining the hazardous materials team - State/Local 
• Compliant with the Maine Bureau of Labor Standards Occupational Safety regulations
• Minimum staffing and apparatus levels per mutual aid agreements - Local 
• Active professional development & annual mandated training to maintain required certifications - Local/State/Federal 
• Determining the cause and origin of fires - State
• Being fiscally responsible for the financial resources allocated for fire department operations - Local 

Current Methods:

• 24 hr/day Emergency Response
• Full-time Life Safety Inspector
• Shift Officer and Life Safety Inspector serving as fire investigators
• Fire Prevention Programs in Elementary, Middle, & High Schools - On hold due to COVID
• Chimney and Wood Stove Inspections
• Local Burn Permit Processing/Authorization
• Strong Mutual Aid Relationships
• Primary Response and Advanced Life Support to UMaine
• Contracted Full-Time EMS Service to Town of Veazie
• Regional Hazmat Team for Penobscot County
• Confined Space Rescue and Event Safety Pre Planning for UMaine
• Active Professional Development & Annual Mandated Training
• Participation in Local, Regional, & Statewide Boards and Committees
• Coordination of Town's Emergency Response Plan
• Coordination of the Towns Emergency Management responsibilities

Current Resources:

Personnel:  25 FTE

• Director of Public Safety (1)
• Deputy Fire Chief (1)
• Life Safety Inspector (1)
• Captains (4)
• Lieutenants (4)
• Firefighters/EMTs (16)