CPR Class Open to All Harpswell Residents

October 25, 2016

All Harpswell residents are invited to join the efforts of the local volunteer fire and rescue departments in making the town a Maine Heartsafe Community by attending the latest heart safety training November 14 on Orr’s Island.

The video-based, practice-while-you-watch class includes instruction on CPR and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) as well as relief of choking in adults, children and infants. No prior experience is necessary.

An American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR AED course completion card will be awarded at the end of the program.

Optional contributions of $5 for the completion card and $15 for a textbook, if desired, will be accepted to cover the cost of course materials.

The program will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14, at the old Orr’s Island Schoolhouse, located next to the Orr’s and Bailey Islands fire station at 1600 Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24, on Orr’s Island.

Advance registration is required by emailing register cpr@obifd.org or calling Janice Adams at 207-833-3040.

The class is part of an effort by the town's three volunteer fire and rescue departments to make Harpswell a Maine HeartSafe Community, which includes widespread training in CPR and broad availability of AEDs at public locations throughout the community. The goal is improve the “Chain of Survival” for people suffering from cardiac or breathing problems by providing help before emergency crews can arrive to render assistance. Classes are offered at a variety of skill levels.

Harpswell's three fire and rescue departments include Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, which serves all of Great Island from the Brunswick line to Stevens Corner Road on Route 24; Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue, which serves all areas off of Route 123, including Mountain Road west of the Ewing Narrows bridge; and the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, which serves Orr's, Bailey and part of Great Island south of Stevens Corner road and east of the Ewing Narrows bridge.

More information about the three departments, including how to join as a volunteer, is available at www.harpswellfireandrescue.org.

OBIFD Open House Draws A Crowd

October 24, 2016

A stream of adults and children turned out to learn more about their local fire and rescue services during an open house at the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

Visitors got to meet the fire and rescue volunteers, checked out the trucks and other equipment, got hands-on experience holding a live fire house and learned more about volunteering at the October 12 event, held to promote national Fire Prevention Week and the ongoing efforts by Harpswell’s three fire and rescue departments to recruit more people to help keep the volunteer service alive.

Junior Firefighter Christian Ayer, right, shows a
young visitor how to use a fire hose during
the OBIFD open house. OBIFD photo.

“We were excited to meet our friends and neighbors who visited and share some of our enthusiasm and commitment toward serving the town,” said Benjamin A. Wallace Jr., chief of both OBIFD and the Cundy’s Harbor Volunteer Fire Department. “We hope we inspired some people to come and join us to help keep the community safe.”

At least one person attending the open house submitted an application to join the department and others expressed possible interest in volunteering.

OBIFD and the town’s other fire and rescue departments are urgently seeking new volunteers to join their aging and dwindling ranks. A variety of roles are available with a wide range of training and time commitments. The opportunities include highly trained interior firefighters and emergency medical technicians, more lightly trained ambulance and fire truck drivers, equipment operators and support personnel, and more casual community event volunteers.

Harpswell is served by three volunteer fire and rescue departments which answer calls within their home districts and work together to fight fires, train and perform other duties. OBIFD serves Orr's, Bailey and part of Great Island south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24 and east of the Ewing Narrows bridge on Mountain Road. The Cundy's Harbor department covers all of Great Island from the Brunswick line to Stevens Corner Road. Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue serves all areas off of Route 123, including Mountain Road west of the Ewing Narrows bridge.

More information about the three departments, including how to join as a volunteer, is available at www.harpswellfireandrescue.org, or by leaving a message for Wallace at 207-844-8105.