December 2009 - Hudson Firefighters

Department Profile: Gray Maine
Fire Rescue
This month we visit the Town of Gray Maine Fire Rescue.
Gray is located in the southwestern part of the state and is bordered
by the towns of Raymond, New Gloucester, Windham and North
Yarmouth. The Town is 43.26 miles in size with a population of
7,250. Located within its border are State Routes 26, 100, 115, 202, 4
and the Maine Turnpike. The Maine Wildlife Park and Libby Hill
Forest Trails are also within the towns border.
During the 1880‘s a group of volunteers came together to
form a group to protect the residents of the town from fire. The group
called themselves the Gray Fire Company with their equipment
consisting of buckets, axes and ladders. In the beginning of the
1900‘s a carriage with a chemical tank was purchased the first fire
apparatus for the town. The Gray Fire Department was founded on
February 15, 1915 becoming a town supported department.
Firefighters were alerted to fire by the ringing of the towns church
bells.
Over the years Gray’s firefighters have battled many large
fires. On December 30, 1921 a large fire occurred at the Steven’s
Hardware Store. Hard work by firefighters saved a large part of the
town from being destroyed.
In 1947 the towns firefighters face a major forest fire. Many
thousands of acres of forest burned along with many buildings in the
neighboring communities.
On October 13, year unknown Gray was hit by a fire which
has it’s roots in the history of a large mid western city. At about 6am
a farmer on the Old Portland Road was completing his chores in the
barn when a cow kicked over a lantern starting a fire.The fire spread
to several other farm buildings burning them to the ground and two
horse died in the fire.
In the 1950’s the first turnout gear was purchased consisting
of 3 pairs of rubber boots, one for each truck rubber coats and leather
helmets. During World War II an Air Raid Siren was installed on the
roof of the fire station and was set off by the first arriving firefighter
at the station. In 1954 a central phone operator called “red phones” in
the homes of firefighters alerting them to fires.
In 1968 the fire department incorporated and in 1969 the name
was change to Gray Fire Rescue. Ambulance service began on
October 15, 1969 when crews responded to their first medical call.
Firefighters named the Oldsmobile 98 Ambulance the “Black
Mariah”. A second ambulance was purchased in 1972 and a third in
1978. The Fire and Rescue departments remained as separate
organizations until 1993 when the joined and were housed in the fire
station. On September 17, 2005 Gray Fire Rescue celebrated it’s 125
birthday with a large celebration.
Today the Gray Fire Rescue is commanded by Chief Ricky
Plummer. He commands 3 career, 1 part time, 11 per-diem, 2
americorps and a call force of over 40 members. During daytime
hours the Central Fire Station is staffed with 4-8 personnel with at
least 1 of those being an ALS provider. The Headquarters Fire
Station is located at 125 Shaker Road, the Dry Mills station is located
at 249 Shaker Road with Station 3 located at 2 Turnpike Acres Road.
The department provides fire prevention, suppression, rescue, EMS,
public service and education services.
Gray Fire Rescue operates 4 engines, 1 tanker, 1 brush truck, 1
ladder, 1 rescue, a squad unit, 2 ambulances and several special ops
units. In 2008 Gray firefighters responded to just over 1000 calls for
service.
See Gray Fire continued on page 7
Top photo: Engine 1 is a 2008 Ferrara Intruder II. Middle photo:
Engine 2 is a 1997 Freightliner/Ferrara Pumper-Tanker. Bottom photo:
Engine 3 is a 2000 Freightliner on a 4x4 chassis.
Hudson Heat December 2009! ! 6