Most of the city's leadership agrees that something must be done about Hallowell's 186-year-old fire station. But there has yet to be a consensus about what is the best solution.

"I'd say it is smack in the middle of the priorities for the city to address in the coming year," said Stefan Pakulski, Hallowell's city manager. "The fire chief and members of the Fire Department would really like a clear decision made and action taken."

The building includes a turn-of-the-century wooden tower, which leans east, that's used to dry fire hoses. It's one of only a couple towers of its kind left in New England, and the Hallowell Citizens' Initiative Committee, formed in 2013, is hoping to raise enough money to preserve the historic building.

Sandra Stubbs, one of the group's leaders, said the organization has about $40,000 in its coffers; but estimates predict it will cost nearly $500,000 to preserve the tower, add an elevator to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and restore the rest of the building. She would love to see the building converted into a museum.

Many problems exist in addition to the leaning tower and neglected rooms of the Second Street building, which was opened in 1829 as a town hall. The city's firetrucks barely fit into the garage and the building just isn't suited to house a modern fire department, Mayor Mark Walker said.

"There was a study done concluding that the fire station is not really suitable for modern fire equipment," Walker said. "We've done our best. We've remodeled and upgraded it, but we can't change its footprint."

Several years ago, repairs were done to the station, and Fire Chief Michael Grant said the repairs would sustain the department for three to five years. Walker said that time is "just about up." He plans to restart a Fire Services Committee to explore all options for the department.

"The committee will look at just what is our preference, and there are many options," Walker said. The group will have to decide whether it makes sense to invest in a bond issue to build a fire station, but it would be hard to justify spending more than $600,000 to house a volunteer fire department, he said.

One of the solutions discussed internally by Walker, Pakulski, Grant and other city leaders is partnering with another local department, including those in Augusta, Farmingdale or Gardiner. Combining services with Augusta, which provides EMS service to the city, or another local community and using Hallowell as a substation would be the ideal solution for many, Walker said.

For more information, view centralmaine.com

Four White River Township Fire Department firefighters were examined at a hospital after a fire truck rolled over.

The accident happened at 2:14 p.m. Saturday on Olive Branch Road, near Eagle Trace Drive, according to an accident report.

Charles C. Linville, 41, Greenwood, the fire truck driver, told police an oncoming vehicle was driving near the center line, and he tried to move over to make room on the road. The fire truck was pulling a boar trailer in preparation for possible flooding, and the wheels went off the road, pulling the rest of the truck over, White River Township Fire Chief Jeremy Pell said.

The fire truck rolled to its side on the side of the road, causing significant damage, Pell said.

They all were treated and released, Pell said. 

To view photos, dailyjournal.net

Brewerton (NY) Fire Department, heavy-duty pumper. Monarch cab and chassis.

By Carl J. Haddon

As many of you know, I encourage readers to reach out to me with products and information that I can write about, and that we hopefully can all learn something from. The other day, a Brother sent me a video of a rural residential structure fire call that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

By all accounts, the fire was nothing remarkable: no down victims, no firefighter Mayday—a real snoozer room and contents fire. That is, until it consumed the entire home with outfitted firefighters watching it burn from outside.

The responding department had a relatively late model engine, lots of hose, and a properly flowing hydrant across the street from the house on fire. The firefighters appeared to be appropriately attired in full turnout gear. Most, if not all, had self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and face pieces affixed to their faces. There were two white helmets who I presumed were chiefs of some sort, at least one red helmet signifying a captain or two, and a number of yellow firefighter helmets in attendance. The video showed what appeared to be an adequate amount of fire hose deployed on to the lawn.

The home was a total loss because the firefighters couldn’t get water from the engine to the fire for almost 15 minutes. It is not for me to speculate whether or not they knew how to get water from the truck to the fire or if the problem was mechanical failure in nature. Regardless, this was an epic failure at all levels.

I share this with you without the intent of embarrassing the souls that responded to this fire, or trying to play Monday morning quarterback. Unfortunately as I travel rural America each year, I learn that this is not an uncommon occurrence! This situation is diametrically opposed to one where the department has old trucks, minimal equipment, no hydrants, and operates on a shoestring budget. This particular department, like many others across the United States and abroad, had or has the fire apparatus and equipment required to do the job. Seeing this incident unfold on the screen led to many questions. However at the end of the day, for me, it all came down to a matter of leadership, pride, and discipline.

Leadership
In this situation, did the leaders lead with the global best interest of their crew, the homeowner, and their community in mind? Does this department train all of its personnel (more than one hour once a month) to know how to pump their fire truck? Do they have a plan B, and do they train on that? Mutual aid units were on this scene but not deployed. I’d be curious to see what the after action report on this call looked like. Not wanting to second guess the incident commander, assuming there was one, lots of questions come to mind that go way beyond what happened or didn’t happen on scene. Does this department train with its mutual aid departments,so that they are all familiar with each other’s fire apparatus and equipment? Does this department actively seek continuing education for its line officers and chief officers? Good leaders surround themselves with good, competent, and well trained firefighters. Good leaders ensure that their staffs are well trained and competent as well as being outfitted and properly equipped. The best of equipment and the finest of fire trucks are worthless if the bosses don’t make sure the crews know how to use them.

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