In June, members of Harpswell’s Fire and Rescue Accession Program participated in a wildland fire certification field day with rangers from the Maine Forest Service.
The Fire and Rescue Accession Program encourages younger residents, ages 16-30, to learn about fire and rescue and join one of the town’s three volunteer fire departments. The participants in the June 29 training belong to Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue and the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.
Assisting at the training were Mike Drake, the town’s fire administrator and emergency management agent; Sean Hall, a town firefighter and emergency medical technician; and Meriel Longley, a town firefighter and paramedic with the town. Hall and Longley established the Fire and Rescue Accession Program. Both also serve with volunteer departments.
Wildland fire training takes place every year and prepares non-firefighters to become certified to fight fires in woods and open land.
Participants deployed emergency fire shelters, operated portable pumps, and used various hand tools. The certification allows them to fight wildland fires in Maine.
An additional “pack test” will be conducted in the fall. Pack test participants must walk 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound backpack. Passing the pack test permits wildland firefighters to work nationwide when a fire requires a multiple-state response.
