FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

 

Another very busy year! The usual time spent at emergency scenes, at training, and maintaining the equipment and buildings. More time spent at Lakes Region Mutual Aide meetings and trainings. Testing, both medical and practical, takes time. Special training in hazardous materials and terrorism are required since 9-11. Testing and repairs for trucks, hoses, ladders, hydrants, etc. add more time. A Fireflghter I class required evening and weekend hours for months.

 

Grant writing also takes many hours and is often unsuccessful, but can add much to the department when it works. The FEMA grant awarded to us this year allowed the purchase of a new laptop computer, a projector to help in our training plans, software for Firefighter I and II and other training, etc. We are also using National Incident reporting for our emergency incidents. A Maine Forestry Grant provided two portables and Forest Fire Fighting shirts of Nomax for firefighters protection.

 

One of the biggest uses of time has been the addition to the station, which was approved with a $40,000 appropriation last year. The south end of the building has been torn off and replaced with an addition that will contain an office, operations center, and bathroom on the first floor. A storage area with meeting room expansion above will allow movement of the kitchen area for more efficient use of the meeting room. Many hundreds of volunteer hours by firefighters and others have been spent working on this project. Firefighter Bruce Dunn is building the furniture, with Stan Hapeman staining and finishing the furniture and woodwork. Work on the building will continue next year.

 

 

At the annual dinner in May the retirement of Craig Dunn as Assistant Chief was noted with a special award. Craig served for thirty years and did the department proud with his talent for all these years. Beginning as a Firefighter, he worked his way up through the ranks as Lieutenant, Captain, and finally as my Assistant Chief. Craig was always there when the department needed him. Members of the second Firefighter I class; Curt Dunn, Joshua Watson, Jess Legendre, Jed Dunn, Richard Coackley, Derek Roy, and Roger Scott; were also honored. Chris Currier received the Firefighter of the Year award.

 

Still offered is our Chimney Cleaning Program in the fall, Home Fire Planning (floor plans of your home), the Fire Prevention Program, Juvenile Fire Starters Program, and the annual Scholarship Award. Your generous "in memoriam" donations help fund this scholarship. The recipient of the award this year was Natalie Olson.

 

Kennebec County Sheriff's dispatchers answer your call to E-911. Winthrop Dispatch Center is used to dispatch Mount Vernon Fire and Rescue. If you need emergency

help please be as specific as possible about locations; give your name, the address and nature of the emergency, the town where the emergency is, and the telephone number you are calling from. Please stay on the line until the dispatcher says you may hang up. This information is necessary for a QUICK response by your local units. Please be sure your NEW house number is posted in a visible place by the roadway.

 

I appreciate the good working relationship we have with the Mount Vernon Town Officials, My thanks to a the members of the Mount Vernon Fire and Rescue Units, our Mutual Aid departments, Winthrop Police Dispatch, the Kennebec Sheriff's dispatch and officers, and the officers of the Maine State Police. I especially want to thank the people of Mount Vernon for their support and cooperation.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Dana L. Dunn, Fire Chief