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During 2006 the Fire/Rescue Department responded to 353
calls for assistance, a 17% increase from 2005. 2006 was
also the busiest year on record for the Fire/Rescue
Department in terms of calls for assistance, eclipsing
the previous record of 326 calls in 2003. 217 calls
(61%) were requests for medical assistance, while 136
calls (39%) were fire related. Slightly more than $1.3
million of tax-assessed property was directly threatened
by fire during the year. However, about $59,100 worth of
tax-assessed property was actually destroyed by fire in
2006. Fortunately again this year there were no fire
deaths in our community.
Although these numbers
may seem small and even insignificant the impact of the
steady increase in call volume over the past few years,
combined with increased training requirements, has been
significant on our department. Long gone are the days
when a “volunteer fireman”, living and working in town,
would leave home or work on occasion to respond to a
fire. Incidents, including medical emergencies,
automobile crashes, hazardous conditions, as well as
fires, requiring the response of the Fire/Rescue
Department occur almost daily in our community and
multiple call days are commonplace. This increased call
volume and the increased mandated training hours,
combined with today’s family and workplace demands,
place our part-time members in a difficult position to
often choose between family or work and the Fire/Rescue
Department. The members of the Fire/Rescue Department
must be prepared to respond immediately to nearly any
type of emergency 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
In addition to training
and responding to emergencies Fire/Rescue Department
members were active in the community throughout the year
conducting monthly blood pressure screenings and fire
prevention programs. Fire/Rescue Department members also
presented fire and health safety programs in the
schools, at businesses and for neighborhood
associations. Assistance was given to homeowners,
business owners and developers concerning fire safety,
in particular wildland/urban interface fire protection
challenges. Finally, 965 open burning permits were
issued during the year.
As always I would like
to thank the citizens of our community, the Town council
and Town staff for their continued support of the
Fire/Rescue Department. I would also like to extend a
special thank-you to the members of the Fire/Rescue
Department for their support, dedication and
professionalism during the past year. The quality of
fire protection and delivery of emergency medical
services in Holden is directly related to community
support and the commitment of our members.
During 2006 the Fire/Rescue Department responded to the
following calls for assistance:
Emergency Medical
Services
Motor Vehicle
Accidents
35
Trauma – Falls / Wounds
etc. 33
General Weakness /
Illness
22
Cardiac
Emergency
20
Respiratory
Emergency
18
Abdominal
Pain
9
Diabetic
Emergency
8
Behavioral
Emergency
8
Seizure
7
Stroke (CVA)
5
Assault
4
Unconscious
4
Lift
Assist
3
Lifeline / Welfare
Check
2
Cardiac
Arrest
1
Unattended
Death
1
Other Medical Emergencies
14
Blood Pressure
Clinics
23
TOTAL
EMS 217
Fire
Tree on Utility
Lines
20
Tree Down in Roadway
20
Smoke/Fire Investigation
15
Fire / Smoke Alarm Activation
11
Utility Line Down
8
Vehicle
Fire
7
Grass / Brush / Woods
Fire
6
Service
Call
5
Fuel
Spill
4
Structure
Fire
2
Flooded
Basement
2
Assist to
PD
2
Carbon Monoxide
Alarm
2
Utility Pole Fire
2
Dumpster
Fire
2
Transformer Fire
1
Tree Fallen on
House
1
Mutual Aid to Eddington
12 (Received 6)
Mutual Aid to
Brewer
4 (Received 6)
Mutual Aid to Orrington
4 (Received 1)
Mutual Aid to Dedham
5 (Received 6)
Mutual Aid to Veazie
1
TOTAL FIRE 136
TOTAL FIRE & EMS 353
Respectfully Submitted
James L. Ellis
Fire Chief
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