What a busy year your Fire Department had for 2005! We logged 147 calls for assistance testing our training and preparedness for which I am honored to report went without a hitch. These calls were logged as follows

Hazardous Materials Calls 12 Automatic Alarms, False 18 Automobile Fires 3 assist other agencies 21 Structure Fires 15 Vegetation Fires 18 Mutual Aid to others 11 motor vehicle Accidents 12 Utility Lines 10 Other Calls 11 Rescue Calls 3 Emergency Medical 13

Our Medical First responder members went through their second year of service working with the Southwest Harbor Tremont Ambulance by providing resources to them when needed. This value added service to the community gives those dedicated EMS professionals next door another resource for them to draw upon when needed. In return, the support and training the Ambulance service has given our department has been invaluable and I give to them my heartfelt thanks for all they have done. We look forward to another successful and productive year.

Happy Birthday Southwest Harbor. The Fire Department members participated in a variety of events in celebration of the Fire Departments along with the Town’s 100th Birthday Highlighted by the Old Time Fireman’s muster and parade during the summer and the Centennial Fireworks display in September. My thanks goes to all those that put so much of their time into the planning and presentation of these events. The muster committee headed by Lieutenants Tom Willey and David Kelley and the Fireworks Crew led by Captain Scott Willey, Lt. Jeff Reed, Firefighters George Seavey, Wayne Patton and FireFighter/EMT’s Peggy Smith and Matt Heel along with the cast of a hundred from 5 Fire Departments paved the way for a smooth and spectacular event schedule. GREAT Job to all!

Once more the time and efforts of Lt. Thom Willey, Lt. Dave Kelley and Lt. Jeff Thomas have paid off with the graduation of two of the Junior Fire Department Members to the Senior Department during February of 2006. Firefighters Tommy Chisholm and Jen Tozier, having reached their 18th Birthdays carried all the training and preparations they have been gathering for the past 10 years across the hall to the regular department giving us two 97% trained members that can and did jump right into the action as Full members of the department. This program spearheaded by Chief Wilbert Terry in the early 1980’s has brought to our department more than dozen young men and women with years of experience under their belts and provides our volunteer services the regular influx of new and younger members.

How do we give the Fire Association members the High Fives they so deserve? Be it Emergency calls, Special events or just the general fundraising activities that they do, this dedicated group of people from all over the County have been there when needed providing with a smile any and all they are asked. Between the Centennial, Special events, Fire Calls, The haunted hayride and other fundraisers I do not think that there was an idle weekend for this group, and they do it all with no financial support other than by donation for our Town. We are blessed to have them on our side and extend to them all our deepest gratitude for all they do.

Now for those that missed it, heating prices went up a bit last year. Okay a lot. I am seeing a significant increase in the use of wood stoves and fireplaces for supplemental heating as a result of these increases. The Fire Department really did not see a tremendous increase in the number of Heating related calls in 2005, but I feel that unless all of us are pro active and take the steps needed to head off these tragedies, 2006 could be a different story indeed. If you are putting in a new Wood-burning device, either have it professionally installed or at a minimum follow the Manufactures installation instructions exactly. Be mindful of the clearance distances recommended from combustibles, use a rated chimney and follow the operator’s instructions. For those with equipment already installed, inspect them carefully for signs of wear and tear, have your chimneys cleaned and checked by a professional and take care of any problems that are found before they ruin you winter. Our local Masonry contractors and any of the commercial stores selling wood and other alternative heating equipment are excellent resources for advise on the installation and maintenance of this equipment. When in doubt please call them.

On behalf of the Towns people and the visitors, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the Officers and Firefighters of the Fire Department the Members of the Fire Association our public safety partners at the Police Department and the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service for their time and talents. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed nor unappreciated.

Respectfully Submitted
Samuel T. Chisholm, Chief