Written by Bob Jørgensen | 30 August 2010

Ben Wallace is a dedicated citizen. By day is a full time career firefighter in Portland, where he has helped protect the public for 13 years. His job there currently includes serving in the Fire Prevention Bureau, conducting safety inspections and reviewing building permits. For most men, that would be enough. But Ben isn't most men. In the evening, on weekends, holidays, and during his vacation, he devotes his time, training and expertise to serving as Cundy's Harbor's Fire Chief. He worries about finding more volunteer firemen to replace his aging team.
We spent some time with Chief Wallace and learned that Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept. (CHVFRD) was founded in the 1950's and is currently comprised of 20 certified firemen and licensed EMTs and a couple of fire police members, whose job it is to direct traffic at fire scenes. The CHVFRD is an independent substation that covers the area of Harpswell to the north and east of the intersection of Harpswell Islands Road and Steven's Corner Road. It operates in conjunction with Harpswell's other two independent substations on Harpswell Neck and Orr's Island. An evening or early morning fire can see as many as 30 trained firefighters drawn from the combined pool of people from the three substations, while daytime fires incidents are usually responded to initially by 12-15 firemen. Additional men and equipment from Brunswick, Bath and other communities may be called in to serve as backup resources to their brother firefighters if and when necessary.
In a typical emergency event, a citizen calls 911 to report a fire. The 24 hr. dispatch office in Windham then calls the appropriate fire department, which notifies its members. The fire engine at that substation automatically becomes the attack engine, with all other equipment and personnel from that substation taking their places in support, along with any trucks and people from other substations, if required.
The CHVFRD is located in a garage under the Cundy's Harbor Community Hall, 837 Cundy's Harbor Road, and is where its trucks are kept. The department has five specialized vehicles: a huge class A fire engine which carries 1000 gallons of water internally, plus firefighting foam. It can pump water at 1250 GPM and carries 1,000 feet of supply hose for connection to external sources such as tanker trucks and has two firefighting hand lines. That engine is supplied with additional water by a second vehicle, an 1800 gallon Ford tank truck, which has a 500 GPM supply capability. The third specialized vehicle is the squad truck, which Chief Wallace describes as a "toolbox on wheels." It carries things like saws, generators and rescue equipment. A second fire engine is kept at Louis Stewart's garage. This equipment is also deployed on occasion to help pump out flooded basements. The Cundy's Harbor substation also houses a state-of-the ambulance. In addition to treating and transporting people injured at fire sites, this vehicle, with its trained EMT personnel, is also deployed to the scene of auto accidents and home medical emergencies.
All this equipment requires a lot of people to run. The water tanker, for example, ideally requires six operators, while three trained people are required to staff the ambulance. Half of the volunteers at the Cundy's Harbor substation are over 50 years of age, while only four are under 40. Looking ahead, the department will need to replace a number of current members as they retire. It also needs to increase the number of firefighters and EMTs immediately to assure that there are a sufficient number of first responders to meet any contingency. This is especially true during the daytime.
Chief Wallace noted that, "Being a member of a volunteer fire department like ours is a great way for someone who is currently unemployed, because of the nationwide economic situation, to fill in the blank spot on their resume. Moreover, the department pays for all training, uniforms and personal safety equipment as well as the pre-employment and subsequent annual physical examinations." The state has a program under its Bureau of Labor Standards that is comprised of 10 weekend classes, which takes about a year to complete and be certified. While the new candidate is in training, he or she can serve as an apparatus operator after the first or second weekend class. Aside from good health, there is one special restriction in that persons with claustrophobia may have a problem with the air mask worn while fighting fires.
Applicants wishing to become EMTs serving on the department's ambulance are required to take classes two evenings a week for three months to become licensed EMTs. As in the case of firefighters, the department pays for this training. Chief Wallace noted that Chief Mercier, chief of the Harpswell Neck Department, also needs EMTs. His number is 841-4501.
Those wishing to apply for positions as volunteer firefighters and EMTs may pick up an application at the Harpswell Town Office.
Chief Wallace concluded our interview by saying, "We need all the people we can get."