Good Samaritans

Protecting our community from fire and other safety emergencies is an essential municipal responsibility. As a volunteer with the Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, I can personally attest to the growing challenges we face. Our department is critically understaffed with volunteer firefighters and there are no new Harpswell recruits enrolled in this year's fire academy. I anticipate that the town will increasingly need to rely on municipal firefighters as the number of volunteers continues to decline.

Between the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 11, and the morning of Monday, Oct. 13, two floats went missing from the beach at Mackerel Cove. They had been tied to a stout post next to the boat ramp, one behind the other, waiting to be picked up.

What is more important to all of us than the safety and care of our families and homes? Responses to health, fire and other emergencies should be available to all Harpswell residents as rapidly and as equitably as possible.