On Monday, January 12th, the City of Bangor announced the selection of a new Fire Chief. Assistant Chief Tom Higgins will be Bangor's new Fire Chief.

Bangor Daily News

*UPDATE*

A/C Tom Higgins will be formally confirmed by the City Council at their next meeting on 1/26. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers of Bangor City Hall.

Fire Chief Media Release.doc

Members of C Crew pose in front of Engine 5 on the ramp of Central Fire. No Christmas snow this year, as we had a record breaking 54 degrees and sunny day.

On Saturday 12/6, Santa and Mrs Claus were delivered to the local Grange Hall for a fundraising breakfast for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

They were delivered with smiles on their faces.

BANGOR, Maine – Members of the Bangor Fire Department Local 772, along with families served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will host the annual firefighters’ Black Friday Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout the Bangor area.

The Bangor Fire Department will hold its annual Black Friday Fill the Boot event 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 28, at Hogan Road and Bangor Mall Boulevard.

The firefighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases for six decades.

Funds raised through the 2014 Bangor Fill the Boot will help support MDA’s efforts to advocate for individuals and families affected by muscle disease; rally communities to fight back; and assist families with lifesaving help and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp Waban in Sanford.

The Fill the Boot campaign also helps support MDA’s worldwide research program and national network of 200 specialized medical clinics, including the MDA Clinic at Eastern Maine Medical Center Bangor.

Pictured above are L-R Engine 5 (assigned at Station 5 on the Hogan Road) and Engine 6 (assigned to Station 6 on the Griffin Road).

The Bangor Fire Department received new engines to help us update our aging fleet. Pictured above are two trucks (Pierce) that we received. This photo was taken at the factory. Training has begun on the trucks for all 4 crews.

These two trucks will replace the current Engines in service at the respective stations. The trucks are identical, and feature rescue style bodies, as well as puck configuration for the pump panels.

In other vehicle updates - A new Rescue (ambulance) has been ordered, a February delivery is expected and a new Assistant Chief's vehicle is currently being placed in service.

These vehicles have been in our budget for the last couple of years, and we are finally getting them delivered.

Today the Bangor Fire Department announced the following promotions:

Firefighter Jim Metcalf and Firefighter Jeff Brown to the rank of Lieutenant.

On Monday, December 10th, the Bangor Firefighters headed out to the Bangor Wal Mart for some quality Christmas shopping. Members gathered to buy presents, for the kids from the Toys for Tots organization.

The Heavy Rescue was filled with $2,500.00 worth of toys this year.

Thanks Chief Cheverie

The members of Bangor Fire gave this plaque to Assistant Chief Rick Cheverie on No0vember 30, 2012. This was to thank him for the last 9 months of hard work as interim Fire Chief. 

Chief Cheverie kept us moving forward and we never 'missed a step' as a department. Thanks for a great job! 

Photographer Donates to Local 772 and a great cause

Tom Morelli, a local photographer, receives a handshake from Local 772 members congratulating him on being part of a winning team. Tom donated his services to Local 772 to help make the winning "pink shirt' contest entry.

Morelli states it 'was his honor' to work on the project with Firefighter Casey Perry. He used to get up at all hours, to go with his dad to take pictures of fires that occured in Bangor.

Tom will be receiving a plaque from the IAFF, and he received a check from them and local 772 at a meeting on November 14th.

Thanks Tom, for all of your great work. 

PINK T-SHIRT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
 

FIRST PLACE: Searching for a Cure This understated T-shirt effectively merges the official logo of Bangor Local 772 with an image of a pink ribbon signifying the fight against breast cancer.  Produced by: Bangor, ME Local 772 Submitted by: Bangor, ME Local 772           Media Awards Homepage

SECOND PLACE: Breast Cancer Awareness This T-Shirt makes good use of the color pink for the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. The front of the shirt has the official Waukegan Local 473 logo with a bold “WFD” (for Waukegan Fire Department) splayed across the back.   Produced by: Waukegan, WA Local 473 Submitted by: Waukegan, WA Local 473

Two promotions have been announced by Interim Chief Rick Cheverie.

Congratulations to Firefighter Greg Hodge - promoted to Lieutenant

Congratulations to Lieutenant Joe Doucet - promoted to Captain

Both members will assume their new duties on Sunday September 17th.

Bangor - The Bangor Fire Department unveiled it's newest addition Friday.

Marine 1 is the department's new fire boat.

The vessel features state of the art electronics, designed to help quickly find someone in the water.

But the boat isn't just for rescuing...it can put out fires too.

Bangor's Interim Fire Chief, Rick Cheverie, explains, "It pulls from the river, so we have an endless water supply, as long as the river doesn't run dry, and it puts out about 3000 gallons per minute, which is about what 2 fire trucks are able to do."

The boat was paid for through a federal grant.

Fire Chief Jeff Cammack has retired after 32+(16 as Fire Chief) years of service to the City of Bangor. Chief Cammack retired on February 29th. The members of the Honor Guard presented the Chief with a flag on 2/27 during his last city council meeting and he had his going away party on 2/28 at Central Fire. Over 100 people attended the party at Central including members of the Maine Chiefs, the Penobscot County Chiefs, Mutual aid departments and the Maine Forest Service.

Jeff's plans for retirement include an extended vacation and to spend time with his family and quality time with his grand-children. Good luck Chief!

Fire Chief Jeffrey Cammack and Local 772 are proud to announce promotions of two members.

Lieutenant Troy Lare has been promoted to the rank of Captain and will be moving to Central- Ladder 1 on A crew. Firefighter Brian Higgs has been promoted to Lieutenant and will be moving to Central on B Crew on Engine 1.

Both members will assume their duties starting the week of 2/12.

Captain Higgins promoted to Assistant Chief

Local 772 would like to congratulate Captain Tom Higgins on his promotion to Assistant Chief.

Tom will be leaving his Captain's slot on "A" Crew and heading to "D" crew. He starts his first shift on Sunday the 22nd. 

Our Honor Guard has represented the Bangor Fire Department and Local 772 at two locations recently. On September 24th, they were the Color Guard, as well as assisting and training the Frankfort and Winterport Fire Departments, at Frankfort Chief Anderson's funeral. On October 5th they were asked to post the colors at the Maine Municiple Association's conference. The conference was held at the Augusta Civic Center,

The funeral detail was manned by (L-R) A. Willigar, Lt. T Lare, A. Layman, J. Fleming, T.Goehringer

Pictured at the MMA Conference (L-R) T. Goehringer, Lt Lare, Capt Riitano, Chief Cammack, P. Dow

Bangor -The Bangor Firefighters honored the heroes of 9-11 Sunday morning.
Firefighters at the Central Fire station held a moment of silence at 9:59 am, the time the south tower collapsed and at 10:28 am, the time the north tower collapse.
A Veazie carpenter created a replica of the world trade center and donated it to the department.
It was on display Sunday as a tribute to the first responders on that tragic day.
Captain Matt Costello says tragedies such as the attacks on 9-11 hit close to home for the members of the department.
"When it does happen it does affect us all. We all go through our little moment of silence whether it's just one firefighter that we hear in a residential structure somewhere in this country and we feel for them and their families afterwards," he said.
During the time of the attacks, members of the department volunteered their time and traveled to Ground Zero to help.

Local 772 was once again was one of the proud sponsors for the Senior League World Seriesthat was held in Bangor. The tournament showcased 10 teams from arounf the United States and the world in a week-long event to find the best 15-16 year old team in the world.

The opening ceremonies were on Saturday August 13th in the evening. The event included introducing the teams, supporters and staff to the public Music for the evening was performed by the Bangor Band. It ended with fireworks in right field.

On Wednesday August 17th, the World Series held Firefighters Day. The Bangor Firefighters sponsored this day. Events included a BFD ladder truck at the park, a firefighter throwing out the first pitch and the BFD color guard presenting the colors for the 5:00pm game.

For more information about the series click here

5-year-old Bangor Girl Rides to School In Style

Bangor - A 5-year-old Bangor girl is the envy of her entire kindergarten class today. Hailey Manzo got to ride to school in style this morning, on a fire engine crewed by firefighters from the Bangor Fire Department.

This after Hailey's mother and father entered their daughter in a free drawing at last month's fire prevention open house at the Bangor Fire department.

The engine picked Hailey up at her home around 8:00 this morning. The crew spent a few minutes getting to know her and gave her a few gifts from the bangor fire department. Then it was off to school.

Hailey's mother, Andreya Manzo, says her daughter was just a little bit excited for her big day. "She woke up bright and early," says Andreya Manzo. "It was probably around 6:00 and she looked right out her window and she was like where's the fire truck and where's the dog that goes in the fire truck? And she was waiting for the sirens and she's actually making the sirens too this morning. So it was pretty exciting."

The fire department didn't take Hailey straight to school. She was taken on a little ride around town first but the fire department said they did get Hailey to school on time.

Ladder 1 and Ladder 6 are extended over the ramp at Central Fire Station. On the Island in the center is a firefighter's boots and helmet. Flowers have been placed there by people walking by throughout the day.

The flag was raised at 0800 hrs by crews from all 3 stations.

Maine family saved by CO detector

by WABI-TV5 News Desk · Nov 09th 2009

It was a big morning for a kindergarten student at the Fruit Street School.

"Congratulations Faith, you're Lieutenant for the day!" says Jason Johnson, with the Bangor Fire Department.

Faith Ashton's first order of duty...

"I rode on a fire truck," she says.

The fire fighters from Station Five say, at first, Faith seemed like the quiet type.

"We picked her up at her house and put her in the front seat, so she was in charge. And we took the long way to school," says Lt. Fournier.

It wasn't long before they say she took right to it.

"I honked the horn."
"You honked the horn?"

"Once they got rolling down the road, she was just jabbering a mile a minute. They said it was great," Johnson says.

"She talked the whole time. We know she has a loose tooth, which we hope she doesn't lose," Fournier says.

Faith won this ride after entering a contest at the Bangor Fire Department's open house last week.

"We were also giving away a couple bikes, and a Nintendo Wii, but this was the prize that student after student would line up and really wanted to win," Johnson says.

These firefighters say it's fun to see their job through a kindergartener's eyes.

"Just to see the look in their eyes when the truck rolls in and to see them get in. It's a big prize for them."

"Because I like to honk the horn," Faith says.

And if Faith's ride inspires a future in the field, all the better.

"It's a great career to get into," says Bangor firefighter Tim Witham, "So maybe in a few years, she'll be inspired to be a fireman."

 Firehouse fun teaches safety, prevention

BANGOR, Maine — Once the Jaws of Life got to it, the gray Chevrolet Lumina had no chance. Two Bangor firefighters operated the hydraulic rescue tool, tearing off the windshield and propping up the dashboard. Shattered glass and car parts were scattered around the demolished vehicle.

It was all much to the delight of five first-grade boys in Den Leader Dalton Reed’s Tiger Cub Scout group, who stood with wide eyes as firefighter and EMT Bill Wentworth explained what was going on.

“Now we have access to the whole inside of the car,” Wentworth said. “Anybody that’s trapped, we can get them out. Pretty amazing, huh?”

Hundreds of children and adults had a chance to see a demonstration of rescue and firefighting equipment as well as pick up safety information Saturday during the Bangor Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Month open house, held at the Central Fire Station on Main Street.

Oh, and there was plenty of Halloween candy and a costume contest, too.

Firefighters gave tours of the station’s big, shiny, red trucks and ambulances, slid down the station’s poles, and pried apart cars in Jaws of Life demonstrations. The Jaws of Life is a tool used by rescue workers to free people trapped in small spaces, such as cars.

There were also displays about heating safety and railroad awareness, along with plenty of information about fire prevention.

“Part of this is for education, and part of this is for fun,” said Jake Johnson, the department’s public education officer.

In addition to spreading information about fire prevention, Wentworth said, the annual open house also serves to humanize the firefighters, many of whom towered over the youngsters.

“It takes a lot of the fear out for the kids,” said Wentworth, who lives in Garland. “They see us here joking around, not in a serious way we are when we’re focused on our job.”

Reed brought his Tiger Cubs of Bangor-based Den No. 6 to the open house to fulfill a go-see requirement, but it didn’t seem like an obligation for the five boys in the pack. After watching the Jaws of Life demonstration behind the firehouse, they followed Wentworth to the front of the station so he could show them different nozzles used to fight car fires.

“This is the perfect opportunity for them to fulfill their requirements,” Reed said. “They asked tons of great questions, too.”

Bangor Fire Fighters Go Door to Door

by WABI-TV5 News Desk · Oct 18th 2009 · See more Local News

New Station #6 has opened

Station #6 has moved up the street . The move was started on Thursday May 14th. B- Crew was the first crew to spend the night in the new station..

The new station features state of the art changes, larger bays, larger living quarters, a weight room, training room and more. The building does hold a LEEDS Certification, the first for a City of Bangor Building.

Housed in the new station are Engine 6, Rescue 6, Tanker 6, Rescue 2 (spare), and Ladder 6. For more information about the station and the crews who man it, go to: www.bfdstation6@homestead.com.

A city pauses to recall the Great Fire of 1911

BANGOR, Maine — It started on a windy afternoon just like Thursday, 98 years ago to the day.

The Great Fire of 1911 tore through downtown Bangor, destroying or crippling nearly half the city’s buildings and displacing 75 families in its wake.

In some way, though, the fire created the foundation for Bangor as it is today. It was in that spirit that city leaders and members of the Fire Department unveiled a plaque on Broad Street, identifying and commemorating the precise location where the fire began.

“There was quite a bit of detective work to find out exactly where it started,” city historian Dick Shaw said Thursday at the site. “It really transformed the downtown.”

As the story goes, two “idlers” playing poker in an abandoned hay shed discarded a cigarette that sparked the flames. The fire destroyed that building, then skipped across Kenduskeag Stream and spread to other structures. By the time it was over more than eight hours later, some 250 buildings were affected. The headline in the Bangor Daily News on May 1, 1911, read “Bangor Swept By Historic Fire.”

On Thursday, Mayor Gerry Palmer recounted the event, which remains one of the biggest disasters Maine has ever seen. “There was a lot of loss that day,” he said.

Firefighters from all over the state helped douse the flames with 1 million gallons of water. They couldn’t save the post office, the library, a handful of churches or many homes. But, as Palmer said, “a few years later, Bangor rose once again.”

City leaders have been paying tribute to Bangor’s history throughout 2009, which is the city’s 175th anniversary.

erussell@bangordailynews.net