I have been a volunteer firefighter with the Cundy’s Harbor Volunteer Fire Department for four years, and I continue to be impressed by my fellow volunteers’ dedication and our town’s unwavering support. I want to share my thoughts on the proposed central station.
Our current model, relying on volunteers and a few municipal employees, places a heavy burden on volunteers. With recruitment challenges and an aging volunteer base, our ability to respond effectively is shrinking. To ensure reliable coverage, we must increase the number of municipal firefighters to support our volunteers.
The key question is where to house these firefighters. One option is upgrading the Harpswell Neck and Orr’s Island stations while replacing the Cundy’s Harbor station. The other is constructing a single, modern central station.
After serving on a committee that carefully studied this issue, I strongly support the central station. The cost of upgrading and replacing multiple stations is nearly the same as building a single facility. Additionally, response time analysis shows that paramedics from the outdated, space-constrained Mountain Road facility (the proposed central station site) consistently arrive before volunteers — indicating improved firefighter response times for all residents.
A central station would enhance coordination by uniting all municipal firefighters, including the town paramedic, under one roof. This would strengthen communication, teamwork and overall effectiveness. Existing stations will remain operational, while the central station will serve as a vital hub for joint training and meetings.
It’s time to move past the idea that Harpswell Neck, Orr’s and Bailey islands, and Cundy’s Harbor have separate needs. We are one community with a shared goal: protecting our homes and loved ones. A central station benefits everyone equally and secures our future.
Peter Melroy, Cundy’s Harbor
