8646-R1_NewGloucester_2022-2023_AnnualReport_Web

We had two all-hands building fires this year. Both fires had a substantial head start prior to our arrival on scene, requiring fast and effective deci sion making from our members. The fire on Sabbathday Road in March originally had reports of trapped victims. Members arrived on scene and quickly applied water (within 7 minutes from the initial dispatch). Addition al members were able to conduct an aggressive search of the structure ahead of a hose line. While the reports of victims were unfounded, our members demonstrated the mission of the fire department to save lives, stabilize the incident, and preserve property. Our other all-hands fire occurred on Shaker Road. Again, members arrived on scene within 7 minutes of the initial dispatch. Engine 3 arrived with four members due to a new hire completing orientation and a live-in student who was available. With the additional manpower on the first engine, the first arriving companies were able to put lines in service and stop the fire from spreading to the main house. A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study has shown 4-person fire companies being 30% more effective than 2-person fire companies, and 25% more effective than 3-person fire companies. This effectiveness was demonstrated at this fire. Mutual Aid Mutual Aid continues to be an increasingly important supplement for our organization. For 2023, we gave aid 60 times, and received aid 84 times. By comparison, in 2021, the numbers showed us aid 53 times and giving aid 49 times. In 2022 we received aid 65 times while providing aid 60 times. Of the 84 times we received mutual aid in 2023, 26 were due to our ambulance being on another medical call or out of service for mainte nance. New Gloucester, and many of our surrounding communities, can handle about one emergency at a time. In 2023, we had 99 overlapping calls, 15% 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 responses for reported building fires, auto extrications, and other serious calls that are manpower-intensive. In 2023, New Gloucester and Gray worked to have a mutual response to sections of the turnpike in both com munities. This is a proactive measure that communities take to ensure they have the correct resources on scene to mitigate the emergency. Personnel 2023 was a big year for personnel changes. Craig Bouchard was named Chief of Department, taking over from his interim status on July 17th. Sub sequent promotions followed, with Hale Fitzgerald moving from captain to deputy chief, Chris Gill from lieutenant to captain, Lee Johnson from firefighter to lieutenant, and Nick Hegarty from firefighter to lieutenant.

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