2007 was an average year for the Southwest Harbor Fire Department, if you can
call our job “Average”.
Our Volunteers responded to 83 calls for assistance including:
Structure Fires 10 Utility Line problems 9 Trash/Rubbish 4
Emergency Medical 10 Automatic alarms 15 Motor vehicle 12
Hazardous Material’s 4 Animal issues 2 Vegetation 7
Rescue of Persons 4
The weather throughout the year did a number on the power and other utility lines within the town with wind and ice bringing down utility lines in the most inconvenient spots. The Bangor Hydro admonishment that “No power wire is safe to touch…Ever” is so right. Electricity travels at almost the speed of light and a life will end just that fast if an energized power line is touched. Please respect our safety zones around power lines.
Our Medical First responders were kept busy helping our visitors and residents alike with a variety of calls from medical emergencies to extrication of victims from remote locations. Please accept my sincere appreciation for all their dedication and time.
After our first full year in the new fire house, we are mostly settled in with some in house projects continuing. The engineering staff have spent countless hours adding amendments to the building to increase its efficiency and comfort with more in progress or planned as time permits.
The Fire Association has had a very busy year. Through their fund raising efforts
and shoe leather to the ground efforts, they have installed a fully function
cooking area in the break room. More than $20,000 was raised to purchase everything
needed to present a public dinner from appliances to serving spoons. Cabinetry
to dinner plates. One of the biggest donations came from Mr. Dan Norwood and
his crew. They gave us their time and talents to install all the cabinets and
fixtures at no cost. I know that this is surly not enough, but Dan, and Crew,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The Association has also been able to continue helping our neighbors in need.
With the increase in fuel and heating costs, the Association disaster fund was
called upon to provide assistance almost 10 times totaling over $10,000 in aid.
I am pleased to report that each of these families was able to recover from
the situation they were in and are doing well. On behalf of the Town I extend
our appreciation to President Jeff Thomas and his members for their dedication
and compassion for those that need help.
During the summer, with mixed feelings, the members of the Fire Department and Fire Association witnessed the retirement of a longtime friend and supporter, Town Manager Ken Minier. Moving on to a new career in the retail sector, his customers will be blessed with a knowledgeable go to guy who will bend over backwards to solve their problem. We wish you well in your future and thank you for all you did for our Departments.
Speaking of Town Managers, the Department’s said hello to Robin Bennett our new “Boss”. Robin has taken a keen interest in what the Volunteer Fire Department provides to the community and a strong partnership has been created. We stand ready to provide Robin and the Town with whatever resources and talents that we have to make our town run as smoothly as possible. Welcome aboard Robin.
I frequently find myself awestruck at the talent and dedication of the men and women that staff our Fire Department. I take for granted, admittedly way to frequently, that, what to some might seem impossible, will be dealt with quickly and expertly with anything and I mean ANYTHING that is dangled in their face. Words alone cannot express the thanks to the crew but it is a start. On behalf of the residents and visitors to our town, we thank each and every on of you for your time, expertise and dedication.
Respectfully submitted
Sam Chisholm
Chief