9304-R4_NewGloucester_2024-2025_AnnualReport_Web

For fire calls, we had five structure fires that were all hands or greater in our community. We also had five vehicle fires and nine outside fires. Additionally, we responded to fourteen mutual aid building fires to work at the scene. New Gloucester Fire Rescue preserved $1,117,345 worth of property due to firefighting efforts in 2025. Engine 2 was our busiest engine, with 164 responses. Engine 3 followed with 131 responses, Utility 1 with 83 responses, Tank 2 with 42 responses, and Tank 1 with 5 responses. In 2025, we provided mutual aid 86 times and received aid 80 times. Of the 80 mutual aid requests, 23 were due to needing a 2nd ambulance. Of those 23 times, only 3 were after Ambulance 2 went in service. Ambulance 2 is not staffed by per diems. If there is a call requesting it, it is staffed by call company staff or administrative personnel (i.e. Fire Chief) on duty. While it is unrealistic to expect every 2nd ambulance call to be handled by the call company, the five months with Ambulance 2 have benefited our Department and our response model. Our Fire Prevention program has continued to grow into a more encom passing model of Community Risk Reduction. Spearheaded by Captain Chris Gill, we continue to have an active presence in our schools and day cares. Additional highlights include a continued partnership with BLING, house numbering, and Stop-The-Bleed classes. Wrapping up another year in review always leaves a space for reflection. One I often think of is the comparison of the fire department to an insur ance policy. Though well intended, it often misses the mark of our mission. While many think of both as an item paid for with the hope of never needing it, the fire department differs in many ways. We are made up of community members. Members who are available nights, weekends, and holidays. Members who work long hours, who miss family meals, who miss games. Our members respond when it is 90 degrees, when it is raining, and when it is snowing. They do not show up after the fact, like insurance, but during the most trying time for many. They insert themselves intimately into the problems of others, many people whom they have never met, to help. While equipment needs, apparatus replacement, and infrastructure up grades attract the biggest conversations, let us not forget the most import ant asset we have: well-trained firefighters and EMS providers. Thank you for your continued support, and we wish everyone a safe 2026.

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