By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — As a full-time paramedic for United Ambulance, Dana Laplante finds himself intently listening as an emergency fire call in Harrison is dispatched.

“I’m worried whether anyone is going to answer the call,” said Laplante, who also serves as Harrison’s Fire Chief. 

Laplante sounded the alarm to the Board of Selectmen at their March 10 meeting that the Harrison Fire Department is at a “crossroad” as manpower shortages and lack of available certified firefighters who can enter a burning structure threaten public safety.

“Make no mistake, we are at a crisis point,” Laplante said.

The solution, the chief unveiled, is to hire a full-time chief (40 hours per week, along with responding to emergency calls) and budget for per diem personnel, who would be on site from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. One would be on shift Monday through Friday, while two would cover the weekend. Laplante said the per diem personnel would be “jack of all trades, good at everything” fire related. He would also prefer one be an EMT, thus able to readily assist United or Pace Ambulance, if needed.

The estimated cost would be $160,000 ($100,000 for the per diem pool and $40,000 added to the fire chief salary line bringing it to $60,000).

Laplante, who became chief in 2012, has been with the HFD for 30-plus years. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Jamie Andrews.

“When I came on in 1987, manpower was plentiful. Our call volume was very low. The idea of a volunteer chief was not unheard of at that time. As time has gone on, that is not the case anymore. Since taking over as chief, the call volume has increased dramatically. The Bureau of Labor Standards National Fire Protection Association standards and mandates have also increased, as well,” Laplante told the board. “While our available manpower has gotten older and decreased, these things have been building slowly, but the past five years, we’ve seen a big acceleration. Honestly, it’s lifting us minutes away from what could be a crisis in response. Fire services is all about being prepared for the worst, and hoping for the best. My proposal is that we will be prepared for the worst, and always have the best.”

Like fire departments across the state and nation, the shortage of firefighters continues to grow. Factors include fewer people work in the towns that they reside in, making it difficult to respond to daytime emergencies. Laplante said there is also a reluctance of businesses to allow workers to leave on a moment’s notice, especially with so many businesses struggling to fill openings. Add more stringent training mandates required for new members and the inherent dangers of the work, recruitment is very difficult.

Meanwhile, Laplante said the HFD has several members nearing retirement. Many no longer are CBA certified, meaning they are not permitted to enter a burning structure.

Ten years ago, the HFD roster had 40 members. Today, the figure is down to 29, of which 13 are CBA certified (this includes Chief Laplante and Deputy Chief Andrews, and as incident commanders, “it’s two less that go inside a building and save a life,” Laplante said).

“Twenty-nine don’t respond to every call. There’s lots of names on the roster. Their hearts are in the right place, but they just don’t have the time which contributes to one or two or three people responding (to a call),” Laplante noted. “Our average daytime response is 3.5 people — some days it might be six, other days it might be one. Of those responders, one or two might be CBA certified. We’re fortunate, one CBA works for the town. One person can do a lot, but can’t do everything.”

The National Fire Protection Association requires fire departments to have “two in, two out CBA certified.” Laplante said HFD has been unable to meet that standard the last two or three years. He pointed out that mutual aid is usually five to 10 minutes away.

“Most firefighters during the day are in their 70s, can operate pumps, get tools and control traffic. They will, if necessary, handle lines but can only spread water from outside the building, while it is a help, it can also be a hinderance at times,” Laplante said. “NFPA doesn’t consider support firefighters fire fighters. They are support members, filling support roles. NFPA considers firefighters to be CBA certified, either with Fire Fighting I and 2 (training)… We don’t meet the 80% standard that they require. These standards are set to protect and enhance fire protection. We are held to the same standards as Portland, Augusta or Auburn.”

The manpower shortage comes at a time that Harrison has seen tremendous population growth. Since 2020 when Covid-19 hit, the town has seen the arrival of many new residents, who fled big cities and trouble spots to relocate in quieter and safer Harrison because of the new norm of working from home, thanks to today’s telecommunication technology.

More people. More traffic. More emergencies. More calls for help.

In 1987, Laplante said HFD responded to 65 calls. In 2012, the number rose to 211. Last year, calls climbed to 362. With 78 calls to date, the 2022 tally could reach 390.

“We’re basically doing a call per day. That’s unheard of for a small town like ours,” Laplante said.  

HFD pays firefighters for time they respond to emergencies or go to training meetings. Four HFD members work part-time for other fire departments, “which ultimately contributes to our low manpower,” Laplante noted.

“They are willing to work for the town, but not at $5 per hour call pay or a $2,000 per year stipend. They can’t.  Nobody can anymore unfortunately. Prices for everything are rising. Our members have families to feed. Bills to pay. And, they have to work,” the chief said. “People who don’t work in town are working longer hours, are farther away, and more jobs. Most of my members work two to three jobs. They aren’t around for us anymore.”

After much research and talks with other fire departments, Laplante suggests that Harrison move to a day-time staffing hybrid model.

“Other towns are moving toward this hybrid per-diem system. The Harrison Fire Department has always been progressive and we’re always consistent in looking for ways to provide services to our citizens and travelers who come through town,” Laplante said. 

Selectman Matt Frank asked Laplante whether the proposal is sufficient to deal with the town’s problems for the next few years?

“I think it is a starting point. It’s a good place to start without overburdening the town,” he answered. “If we stay stagnant, this will be more than enough. If we don’t, we might have to consider more.”

Frank pointed out that public safety should be a top priority for the town, which is one reason more money has been spent on adding a second county deputy.

Laplante said the financial figures submitted in the proposal are “commensurate” to what full-time chiefs and per diem positions are paid in neighboring towns. He noted that nearby towns (Bridgton, Naples, Casco, Oxford and Paris) have full-time chiefs and either use per diems or are looking to move in that direction.

“I’ve talked with town manager and assistant town manager about recruitment and retention. I’ve talked with chief officers each month, but we haven’t found that magic bullet yet. In a perfect world — money not being an issue — I would be looking at what Paris and Casco have done — go to full round-the-clock coverage. It’s not that I want to get rid of our volunteers and our paid call guys. They are the heart and soul of the Harrison Fire Department, but they can only do so much because they only have so much time,” Laplante said. “Will we need more per diems down the road? Yes. I don’t think our manpower problems will be better. What we have seen in the last five to 10 year is, especially with young people, we put them through programs to get them up and running, hoping they will stay in town, but there’s nothing to keep them here.”

The childhood dream of being a firefighter some day is no longer becoming a reality.

“Fire service is not easy. It’s not like joining the Lions Club or Rotary Club. You have to be a certain type of person to get up at 2 a.m. in the morning. We all want to help our neighbors, but at 2 a.m. when someone’s (house) is burning it’s not what people think about when they say they want to help a neighbor,” the chief said.

Two recent tragedies elsewhere made Laplante even more leery of liability issues.

“Berwick, lost a firefighter when they didn’t have two in and two out at a time. Farmington lost a firefighter due to an explosion. It’s made a lot of chiefs evaluate our response. We’ve gone from old days of it didn’t matter because you were helping your town to if you don’t do it right, I’m going to find a way to sue you for what you’re doing. We’re worried about liability. We could potentially be there if we don’t get trucks out the door and get people on those trucks,” he said.

Selectman Philip Devlin asked if there were other options to consider, such as a regional approach to fill manpower shortages. While such talk is in its “infancy,” Laplante suspects it will take time before anything concrete materializes — time, Harrison might not have.

“People just don’t want to do this anymore. It isn’t what it used to be,” he noted. 

Assistant Town Manager Cass Newell called the manpower situation a “monster problem,” which Laplante has tried to develop “robust” solutions. One might be to cross-train Public Works drivers so they can drive fire trucks if an emergency arises during day-time hours. Another could be seeking grants.

“Our big problem is not about pay. Our payroll is decent compared to other departments. Our problem is we are ready to age out quite a few members, which will leave a huge gap that I don’t know that we can fill quick enough,” Laplante said. “I get four or five inquiries every few months. People ask, ‘What do I need to do?’ but it hardly comes to fruition. I don’t try to sugarcoat it…People don’t want to volunteer anymore.”

Selectman Frank made a motion to place the items on the June warrant as a separate article, not including it in the fire department budget, to allow citizens the ability to vote up or down the change.

Selectman Fred Ross questioned whether the item should be included on this year’s warrant, instead, more time should be taken to research, develop more clarity and put forth exact numbers.

Selectman Devlin felt “uncomfortable” as to the financial impact on the budget. He wanted to see “what the full picture looks like, whether I support this or not.”

Frank responded, “If we postpone it for another year, the problem doesn’t get any better. We’re postponing, not resolving an issue.”

Interim Town Manager Randy Gazza noted that at the next budget meeting, figures could be incorporated into the package and there “is plenty of time before the warrant is finalized.”

Chairman Ray Laplante pointed out, “The financials were provided to you at the last budget meeting. Look in your packet, it’s in there. The costs are all in there. It’s nothing that has been spurred on you this evening.” He added that a budget public hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, at which time questions can be asked and information presented.

“I have a real problem with thinking that five of us know what is best for this community. This is public service. We are in a crisis situation. I live it every day like the officers do,” Chairman Laplante said. “I have a real problem thinking the five of us can make a better decision than the public. I think it’s arrogant.”

Frank said the board’s job is to present the facts, and let the townspeople “make up their own minds” on whether they support the plan or not.

Chief Laplante also chimed in, “This is not something that came up in the last month, two months. I have had this discussion with the previous town manager. We’ve been talking about this for three years. This is not me throwing a bunch of numbers together throwing at you guys and hoping it sticks on the wall. I’ve been watching the numbers. I’ve been talking to town managers. There is a hard number going forward…I just didn’t pick out a number out of the air. These are numbers I’ve talked to other chiefs about.”

He continued, “I understand your concerns. I understand we have budget problems to work through, but I want you to know this is not being taken lightly, it’s not being thrown out there. I would hope to have your support and the support of the town going forward. We can kick this can down the road another year or two or three, it’s not going to get any better. I don’t see us coming up with a magic bullet. We’ve been fighting this battle for 10 years, and no one has the magic bullet. If any of you do, please give it to me and we’ll use it. This is like us losing the dam on Mill Street. Like us throwing rockcrete on it so it won’t continue to leak. We’re leaking and we’re leaking badly. Unfortunately, as hard as it is for some people to hear, I don’t want it to be a loss of life that causes us to make this decision and say, ‘Ah geez, we should have done that a few years ago’ or ‘Now, we need to do it. Have to do it.’ I am really concerned we’re close to not being able to do that (protect the town).”

The board voted 3-1 (Devlin opposed) to put the proposal as a separate article on June’s warrant. 

Selectman Rick Sykes was absent at last Thursday’s meeting.

• In other meeting business, Jason Baker hoped to subdivide his Route 117 property into two buildable lots (one lot already has a residence on it). He is, however, .25 acres short to make it happen. The town requires a minimum of one acre for building lots. 

If he could extend the back property line to include another .25 acres, then he could proceed with his plan.

The property situated behind Baker’s land is the RADR Complex.

“I have the road frontage I need, so I am asking the town to consider selling a quarter acre of land,” Baker told selectmen. “This would square off the back end of one property to meet the other.”

Interim Town Manager Randy Gazza says there are a number of ideas regarding further development of the RADR site, but “I don’t think anything will be built that close to that property line.”

Assistant Town Manager Cass Newell noted that since the RADR complex was a tax-acquired piece, selectmen have the ability to make the land transaction, if they so choose.

She, however, warned officials that two nearby lots (one is 40 acres) could be sold and turned into individual lots resulting in someone else coming to the board seeking a similar deal.

“We consider the RADR property a gold mine,” she said. “You could potentially set a precedent for people asking us to square off other properties in the future…just food for thought.”

Board Chairman Ray Laplante agreed that the request is for a “minimal piece” given the acreage RADR covers, however, he too is concerned about “chopping this (RADR land) into pieces.”

Selectman Matt Frank cited the wording approved by voters each year at town meeting giving officials authority “to sell or dispose any real property acquired by non-payment of taxes.”

“I don’t think we would be setting a precedent because this says that each decision we make is on the merits of that particular transaction. Clearly, none of us wants to tie the hands of future Boards of Selectmen,” Frank said.

Frank later made a motion to enter discussions to sell the .25 acre to Baker, subject to an appropriate price agreement, and note the decision should not set a precedent regarding future requests.

The motion failed due to a lack of a second.