By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Naples Fire Chief Chris Pond started off at his hometown’s fire station when he was still in high school. 

“There were quite a few classmates who were in the junior fire department so I decided to go up and see what it was all about,” Pond said. “I started out in the junior fire department.”

That was beginning of a long-term commitment.

It was 1984, and Pond was 15-years old. In 2000, Pond went from assistant fire chief to fire chief. So, he’s worn the hat of fire chief for about half of his time with the Naples Fire and RescueDepartment. 

Pond is resigning after 21 years in the position. He plans to resign in May. 

He isn’t waiting until he turns retirement age. At age 52, Pond is stepping down from the role of fire chief. But, he is not leaving the department.

“I’ll still be around. I’ll still volunteer for the fire department. I’ll still be working in Naples, and living in my home in Naples,” he said. 

He has a reason for wanting to lighten his workload at the fire department. He already works full-time at the family business Naples Small Engine; and he also owns C.Pond Plowing, which currently has the wintertime maintenance contract with the Town of Casco. 

Pond has invested in camp property in Franklin County and he hopes to be able to spend time there. He explains why he’s retiring and takes about work ethics and changes in the fire department in this question-and-answer session with The Bridgton News.

B-News: What made you decide to resign from your fire chief position this year?

Pond: We bought some property in Eustis. I built a camp in Eustis and spending more time up there.

I have a really good assistant chief that is going to take over for me. It was just the right time. I am not getting done with the fire department, I am not moving to Eustis. I’m just resigning as fire chief. I still have a house in Naples. I’m not going anywhere. 

B-News: Will you continue to operate your plowing businesses?  

Pond: Yes. 

B-News: What else do you hope to do when you resign? 

Pond: I’m still working. I’m just hoping to get the camp built and spent weekends there — hunting and fishing and relaxing. It’s on a river. 

B-News: What was your first paying job, and how old were you at the time?

Pond: Back when I was a kid, you didn’t have to be 16 and get a work permit. I mowed lawns for money. 

My first actual 40-hours-a-week job was at Naples Small Engine.

B-News: It seems like you were raised by a father with a strong work ethic — could you please elaborate on that? 

Pond: It’s just a way to get ahead is hard work. Just how I’ve been my entire life. If you wanted something decent you had to work hard for it.

B-News: What are some of the chores you recall having as a child, and as a teenager?

Pond: Firewood. We burnt wood at Naples Small engine and we burnt wood at home.

B-News: Looking back, what do you find satisfying about your role in the fire department? 

Pond: Being on the fire department and being able to help people in need. 

B-News: What is difficult about your job or about being a firefighter? 

Pond: Difficulties — I would say you get to see some things you don’t want to see. A lot of time, you’re up in the middle of the night. The weather isn’t always the best. 

B-News: What are some of the major differences in the department from 30 years ago and now? (This might be a trend nationwide.) 

Pond: Probably the biggest difference is there are people in the station 24 hours a day.  A lot has happened over the years for that to happen. Call volume went up, demands on training are tougher, and less volunteers. When I started a lot of the guys worked in town and were able to leave jobs for calls. Now, people are working two or three jobs to support family. They have less time to go to fire station. 

B-News: What are some of the changes you helped o make happen?

Pond: Staffing the station is a big one. We went to Cumberland County dispatch services. That was a cost savings. The fire department has changed so much over the years because of call volume. It used to be we had dispatcher in their home. The dispatcher called and you would hear someone’s name over the radio and everyone knew where that person lived. (As the populationhas grown, that is no longer true.) The 911 addressing thing was big. The way of doing business has changed. Much more paperwork involved. 

B-News: What are some of the accomplishments while you were fire chief? 

Pond: Staffing the station. Bringing the two departments together as one. In 2000, the radio tower fell off the building because of ice. We had to work with other towns to get insurance money to rebuild the tower. At the time, we were dispatching for Casco and Raymond, I believe.

Just running a volunteer department in itself is a feat. To ask people to get up in the middle of the night, leave their family and home is tough. We try to get volunteers all the time to try to keep it going.