8331_NewGloucester_2021-2022_AnnualReport_Web

Mutual Aid Mutual Aid continues to trend upward. For 2022, we received mutual aid 65 times while providing it 60 times. By comparison, in 2020, we received aid 28 times and gave aid 27 times. In 2021, the numbers increased to receiving aid 53 times and giving aid 49 times. Of the 65 times we received mutual aid in 2022, 28 were due to our ambulance being on another med ical call. New Gloucester, and many of our surrounding communities, can handle about one emergency at a time. In 2022, we had 108 overlapping calls (16% of our call volume). Some of these calls are storm related and a response can be delayed. Other times, the next available unit is needed immediately. This is when mutual aid is often relied on. New Gloucester and surrounding communities also have automatic aid re sponses for reported building fires, auto extrications, and other serious calls that are manpower intensive. This is a proactive measure that communities take to ensure they have the correct resources on scene to mitigate the emergency. Member Responses Our response model at New Gloucester Fire Rescue is a mix of a career Fire Chief, two per diem firefighter/EMS providers 24/7, and a call com pany. In 2022, the Fire Chief’s position was vacant as the select board and town manager worked to find a candidate to fill the job. The work has continued to be done by Interim Chief Craig Bouchard, supplemented by EMS Chief Mary Rich, Captain Hale Fitzgerald, and Lieutenant Chris Gill. The driving force of our organization continues to be our call company. They are a tremendous resource that is trained in multiple aspects of the job. Examples of call company responses can be anything from building fires and vehicle extrications to lifting assistance and help with CPR. Call company members meet every Monday night to train and perfect their craft. They sacrifice their time to put community above self. If anyone is interested in helping their community in a rewarding way, please reach out to us at 207-926-4142. There are many ways we can provide training and sponsor you to take classes to become trained. Examples of ways to help include interior firefighting, fire/police, exterior firefighting, EMS, driving/ operating apparatus, and auxiliary. Below are the top five call company responders for 2022 • Firefighter/EMT Traedon Schwartz-154 calls • Lieutenant Chris Gill-148 calls • Firefighter/EMT Jared Schwartz-101 calls • Firefighter/EMT Shamus Cole-82 calls • Firefighter Paul Talley-33 calls Thanks to all for their dedication to our community and our department.

26