Harpswell Fire Administrator Mike Drake, a lifelong firefighter and leader at multiple departments on the Midcoast, died unexpectedly last weekend at the age of 52.
As fire administrator, Drake oversaw the municipal firefighting corps. Harpswell has three independent, volunteer fire departments, but as volunteerism has declined, the town has supplemented their efforts with staff firefighters.
Drake was in the role for less than three years, but during his tenure, the town hired its first full-time firefighters, extended firefighter coverage to weekends, and saw voters approve a $6 million municipal fire station.
Drake was also the town’s emergency management agent and fire warden. His full-time job was split between administrative duties and regular shifts as a firefighter.
Drake grew up in the fire service. He joined the volunteer fire department in his hometown of West Bath at the age of 15 and continued to serve there for the rest of his life.
He had a 25-year career as a full-time firefighter and paramedic for the city of Bath, as well as a part-time gig as an instructor for a regional fire academy. In addition to his work as a teacher of prospective firefighters, he was a trainer of trainers — at annual conventions in Indiana, he schooled would-be instructors from across North America.
Drake started to pick up shifts in Harpswell as a per diem firefighter in December 2020, then took a regular part-time position after his retirement from Bath and from a parallel career as a full-time lobsterman.
When Fire Administrator Art Howe retired, the town hired Drake to fill the post. He started work in August 2023, just the second person to hold the title.
“Mike served the Harpswell community with extraordinary dedication, professionalism and compassion,” the Harpswell Select Board said in a statement. “In his role with the Town, he worked tirelessly to support Harpswell’s fire and rescue services, to strengthen emergency preparedness, and protect the safety and well-being of residents, visitors, and first responders.
“He will be remembered for his steady leadership, commitment to public service, and willingness to help others, leaving a lasting impression on the Town and everyone who had the privilege of working with him. The Harpswell Select Board extends its heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.”
Town officials did not release a cause of death or an exact date, saying only that Drake died the weekend of May 9 and 10.
David Mercier is fire chief for Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue, one of the three independent departments. He said Drake’s death “comes as a tremendous loss to the town of Harpswell.”
“Mike was one of those rare firefighters that can be described as a firefighter’s firefighter,” Mercier said in a phone interview. “That’s one of the highest (compliments) you can give another firefighter, when you recognize them as being one of the best of you.”
Mercier called Drake “an excellent training officer” and credited him with developing the town’s firefighting program into “a very successful operation.”
The Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department, in a Facebook post, called Drake a friend and mentor who was a fire academy instructor for many of its volunteers.
The department said Drake’s experience and expertise, along with his professionalism and good-natured personality, “made him a go-to resource for training and advice for members of our department.”
Harpswell Town Administrator Kristi Eiane singled out Drake’s work, just months after his appointment, to respond to back-to-back winter storms that wreaked havoc along the coast.
“He did an excellent job dealing with the January 2024 storms and the aftermath,” Eiane said, a job that included navigating the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“He spent a tremendous amount of time on that project — making all of our claims, providing all the information, following up, etc., etc.,” Eiane said in a phone interview. “It was very time-consuming.”
“We’re devastated by the news,” Eiane said. “We’re going to miss him tremendously.”
In West Bath, Fire Chief Jonathan Beane said Drake “had an absolute passion for the fire service — it was a huge part of his life.”
Drake “started out here as a kid,” Beane said in a phone interview. He “worked through the ranks,” eventually serving as deputy fire chief under two different chiefs, including Beane.
Drake’s work as a firefighting instructor and his commitment to continuing education benefited the local fire service, Beane said.
“He was always going to other places and taking trainings, and then bringing his knowledge back and sharing it with his department and other local departments,” Beane said.
Beane said he and Drake worked together for many years.
“He was one of those guys who, when things were bad, you’d turn around and he was there,” Beane said.
During an interview on his first day as fire administrator, Drake told the Anchor that a family tragedy influenced his career path. His paternal grandparents died in a fire in West Bath on Dec. 23, 1974, when Drake was an infant.
The loss motivated him throughout his career. As a boy, he would tag along with his firefighter father on calls in West Bath. He kept a card from his kindergarten teacher with a prediction: “It’s obvious Mike is going to grow up to be a fireman.”
Harpswell was familiar territory for Drake in multiple ways. He lived on Birch Point in West Bath, where he could look across the New Meadows River to Great Island. As a lobsterman, he sold his catch to a wharf in Cundy’s Harbor. And with a background as both a career and volunteer firefighter, he wasn’t fazed by Harpswell’s unique blend of municipal and independent services.
Like many in public safety, Drake said he stuck with the fire service because it gave him the opportunity to help others.
“Being able to make a difference for someone in their time of need is just a good feeling,” he said.
J.W. Oliver contributed to this story.
