2014 Fire Department Report
Overpressure
Rupture,
Explosion,
Overheat (no
fire)
10%
INCIDENTS BY TYPE
Activated Fire
Alarms 50%
Rescue &
Emergency
Medical Service
Incident
8%
Service Calls
10%
Good Intent Calls
13%
Fire 9%
INCIDENTS BY DISTRICT
Northeast
Harbor 44%
Bar Harbor
6%
Seal Harbor /
Otter Creek
16%
Somesville /
Pretty Marsh /
Hall Quarry 32%
As the Fire Chief of the Mount Desert Fire Department, it is my pleasure to present this summary
of activities for the year 2014.We are dedicated to providing our community with quality
emergency and preventive services. The department strives to meet the needs of our residents
through the committed efforts of 2 full-time and 22 volunteer personnel. These dedicated
individuals provide fire prevention and education, fire inspections, fire suppression, technical
recue, water rescue and hazardous materials emergency response services. Thank you to all of the
members of this fine organization for your dedication and continued commitment to excellence.
And a special thanks to Norris Reddish who retired in 2014 from the department after 53 years of
dedication to the volunteer fire service.
The department responded to 203 calls for the calendar year of 2014.This was a significant
increase (23.3%) from the same period last year. Fire loss totals for the year was estimated at
$21,000.00. No fire-related injuries or fatalities occurred within this twelve month period.
Department members attended over 900 hours of training and education in 2014. A total of 787
staff hours were spent responding to incidents. Average turnout per incident was 5 firefighters.
The department’s average response time (the time from receiving the call to the first arriving unit)
was 13:01, with the second unit at 16:18. The national standard for volunteer departments is a
maximum response time of 9 minutes, which the department met or exceeded 36.6% of the time.
Below is a breakdown of averaged en route times per apparatus for the year:
Station 1 (Northeast
Harbor)
Engine 4 – 118 responses
5:59 average en route time
Ladder 1 – 22 responses
6:36 average en route time
Station 2 (Seal Harbor)
Engine 2 – 49 responses
6:14 average en route time
Air 1 – 3 responses
6:40 average en route time
Station 3 (Somesville)
Engine 3 – 46 responses
7:47 average en route time
Engine 6 – 11 responses
8:30 average en route time
Tanker 5 – 8 responses
10:65 average en route time
Engine 6, in the Somesville station, was replaced this past year with a new 2014
International/Ferrara Rescue Pumper. The former engine was purchased in 1989 by the Seal
Harbor Fire Co. The new truck will be first due to all motor vehicle incidents and structure fires
in the Somesville area and second due servicing of town.
The department also continues to collaborate regionally with other fire departments on training,
specialized response teams, and of course, mutual aid. These collaborations reduce our overhead
costs while at the same time allowing us to provide a broader array of service levels to the
community.
Our number one challenge continues to be finding, training and keeping volunteer firefighters.
Attracting young people to the fire service is especially important because our volunteers as a
whole are aging. So as our current volunteer membership ages, it’s important to make sure we're
getting enough new, younger members in to avoid a crisis point. Volunteer firefighting is one of
the best ways to make a difference personally while having a positive impact on the lives of those
in your community. We depend on the volunteer support and participation of men and women
from the community. Being a member of the fire department is exciting, intense and rewarding
work.
The Mount Desert Fire Department is always seeking women and men living in the area to join.
Did you know that not all volunteers with the fire department are structural firefighters? We also
have members who perform duties such as driving and operating fire trucks, performing technical
rescues and providing support operations. If you are willing to commit your time as a member of
an amazing team dedicated to providing outstanding service to our community and beyond,
please call or email us immediately.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael D. Bender, Fire Chief
Volunteers Wanted
Be Part of a Winning Team
Looking for a way to support your community?
Experience the THRILL and the PRIDE of being a firefighter!