2006 kept the members of the Volunteer Fire Department jumping this past year. We responded to your requests for assistance a record 124 times. These calls were logged as follows:
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Hazardous Materials Calls 15 Automatic Alarms 25 Automobile Fires 6 assist other agencies 15 Structure Fires 21 Vegetation Fires 13 Mutual Aid to others 2 motor vehicle Accidents 11 Rescue Calls 16

Once again, The Southwest Harbor Fire Association, through their aggressive fundraising efforts, donated to the Town and other worthy causes more than $20,000 in equipment, scholarships and aid to families in need. This private organization is staffed entirely by volunteers and annually provides thousands of dollars to both the Fire department and other charitable causes such as Scholarships, needy families and other non-profit programs entirely by fundraising activities. I ask you to join me in applauding their superlative efforts.

As most of you are aware, 24 years of planning, studies, committees and meetings have finally brought to fruition the construction of a new home for you Fire Department. This 9600 square foot building now provides us with the room to house all of our apparatus indoors and under cover as well as storage, maintenance, training and administrative space all under one roof. I am especially pleased to report that this project was completed in just 4 months and under budget. Built by the Sheridan Corporation of Portland under the watchful eye of the Sewall Company of Old Town, the construction crews, pulled off this amazing feat in half the proposed time. For all those who worked so hard to bring this project to its successful conclusion, I offer mine and my departments deepest thanks.

The Fire Department will be holding a dedication ceremony and open house beginning at 2pm on Memorial Day. A traditional “Housing” ceremony will be held followed by tours of the new facility and refreshments for all. Please join us on this special day.

The completion of our new station could not have been completed in at a more opportune time. During this extremely busy year, the heavy use of our aging fleet of apparatus began to take it toll. During one stretch, the 1980 and 1975 trucks had multiple and various failures that took both trucks out of service literally each time that they went out on a call. Fortunately enough funds had been placed in our Fire apparatus reserve account to allow us to order a new Pumper to relieve the burden on these two aged workhorses. The 2006 Ferrara Rescue Pumper joined the Department in December and provides us with a 1500 Gallon per minute pump, 1000 gallons of on board water and a 6-person crew cab. Perhaps the best part of this purchase was that we did not have to make concessions on this unit because of its size as the new station easily provides adequate space to park this truck.

As I feel compelled to do each year, I encourage each member of our community to support your volunteer organizations attached to our town. Their efforts provide us valuable services that cannot be simply measured in dollars and cents. Each group is in desperate need of additional help and welcomes new members with open arms. Please consider giving a little of your time to help us continue to provide the services we do.

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 and the members of the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service for their time and talents Your efforts have not gone unnoticed nor unappreciated.
, And to the Police Department, Public Works and administrative staff for your continued support is deeply appreciated.

Respectfully Submitted
Samuel T. Chisholm, Chief