December 2009 - Hudson Firefighters

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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
Gray Fire continued from page 6 Dispatching is completed by the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center. This center dispatches for fire, police and EMS agencies with the Cumberland County. Engine 1 is a 2008 Ferrara Intruder II with a 1500 gpm pump, 1,000 gallon tank, 30 gallons "A" Foam and full set Holmatro Rescue Tools. Engine 2 is a huge truck being 45 feet in length. The engine is a 1997 Freightliner/Ferrara Pumper-Tanker, 2500 gallon tank, 1250 gpm pump and 30 gallons class "A" foam. Engine 3 is a 2000 Freightliner 4x4 with a 1250 gpm pump and 1000 gallon water tank. Truck 1 is a 1997 Ferrera 75 Foot Tower-Ladder, 500 gallon tank, 1250 gpm pump, 30 gallons Class "A" Foam, 75' Aerial Platform. Support 6 is a 2006 Ford/Dingee 250 gallon tank, 250 gpm pump, 30 gallon CAFS. This truck also responds to area towns as the RIT Truck. Squad 7 is a 1990 Ford F-800/Hackney Heavy Rescue / Incident Command Post. Rescue 1 is a 1996 International Road rescue Type 1 Ambulance. Rescue 2 is a 2000 Ford PL Custom Type 3 Rescue Ambulance The chief operates a 2005 Chevy Suburban, the staff vehicle is a 2003 Ford Crown Vic with a Police package. Unit 8 is a 1985 Ford Canteen Truck. ATV 1 is a 2004 Polaris Ranger 4X4 ATV with a cargo bed. Hazmat 1 is a 2005 Cargo Mate 14' Cargo trailer - Regional Hazmat Support Unit and Marine 1 is a 2003 Zodiac 14' rigid hull inflatable boat. Thank you goes out to Hudson/Gray Firefighter Anthony Smith for giving a tour and providing the information for this article. Rescue 1 is a 1996 International Road Rescue Type 1 Ambulance. Top photo: Top photo: Truck 1 is a 1997 Ferrera 75 Foot Tower-Ladder. Middle photo: Support 6 is a 2006 Ford/Dingee. Bottom photo: Squad 7 is a 1990 Ford F-800/Hackney Heavy Rescue / Incident Command Post. Hudson Heat December 2009! ! 7
Page 1 and 2: HUDSON HEAT Hudson Heat Nulla facil
Page 3 and 4: Webster Street Fire Photo’s Top p
Page 5: Worcester continued from page 4 Onc
Page 9 and 10: SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS Members
Page 11 and 12: Captain Steve Gannon was the winner
Page 13 and 14: Londonderry Fire 55 Spring Road Pho
Page 15: Hudson Heat December 2009! ! 15

December 2009 - Hudson Firefighters

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