Staff Writer
ASHLAND – A local fire and ambulance service now has two pieces of equipment that will better enable staff to respond to emergency calls in this rural community.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
ASHLAND FIRE AND AMBULANCE recently received a defibrillator unit, donated by Cape Elizabeth Fire and Rescue. Here, Dick Long, of Ashland Fire and Ambulance Service, gets a few tips on using the machine from Steve Corbin, Aroostook EMS regional coordinator.
Ashland Fire and Ambulance recently received a defibrillator monitor, valued at approximately $15,000, thanks to the generosity of southern Maine fire department.
“This unit, a Physio-Control Lifepak 12 defrillator/monitor series, was made possible through the generosity of Cape Elizabeth Fire and Rescue. When they upgraded their equipment, members voted to give away two older units that were still fully functional,” said Steve Corbin, Aroostook EMS regional coordinator.
The Cape Elizabeth department made the decision based on need, according to Corbin.
“Andover was selected as the recipient of one unit. The other came here to Ashland,” said Corbin.
“We now have two units. The first unit the town of Ashland bought outright out of the regular budget,” said Pat Long, director of the Ashland Ambulance Service.
Long said the gift from Cape Elizabeth “was a big find” and came about in time to “keep up with new rule and regulations.”
“This is part of becoming a Heart Safe Community,” said Long.
“They (Ashland staff) have very high standards when providing patient cardiac care,” said Corbin.
The new defibrillator is 12-lead capable for on-the-road EKGs.
“The department is very pro-active. They’re the first in region five – in the County to be designated Heart Safe,” said Corbin.
The second piece of equipment the department received arrived a bit earlier in the year.
“We got a six-wheeler in March through the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund grant program. It’s a Polaris Ranger 6×6, valued at $18,000. It’s fully equipped, including a chainsaw, radio, gas can, lights, windshield,” said Long.
Long said Chandler Farms gave the Ashland department “a wicked good deal.”
“The wheeler itself runs around $12,500, without the cab,” said Long.
Other businesses also made donations of money and accessories for the wheeler.
“Ashland Auto donated a gas can and accessories; the Sign Place took care of the lettering; Aroostook Technology took care of radio and lights; area lodges and guide services helped us come up with the 20 percent matching funds, to go with the 80 percent funding we received with the grant,” said Long.
Prior to receiving the machine, Long said his staff relied largely on borrowing equipment to respond to incidents in remote areas.
“Calls prior (to receiving the Ranger) required a lot of begging. We started sending out letters asking for donations but didn’t get enough to amount to anything substantial,” said Long.
Through the grant process, the community had to come up with matching funds, rather than the full amount.
“Town Manager Jim Gardner told us of the grant. We were shot down the first time. They found out we don’t give up easily,” Long said, noting that grants often go to larger agencies due to the volume of calls they receive and the need that creates.
“Jim was instrumental in encouraging us to keep trying. The bad thing about grants, if you don’t get 4,000 or 5,000 calls a month, you won’t get the grant,” said Long.
Gardner said the arrival of the Polaris Ranger will enable the crew to better serve the public in an emergency.
“This is another good thing,” said Gardner. “What people don’t realize is we don’t have to take (money) out of our budget to pay for this, so the community truly benefits,” said Gardner.
Gardner credited Long’s perseverance for the acquisition of both pieces of equipment.
“You get department heads that want to do the work, like Pat. He’s a good guy to work with. Too many agencies don’t want to deal with the paperwork,” said Gardner. “But look at us, we got two units – the Ranger and the defibrillator – one through a grant and the other from Cape Elizabeth, all because Pat took the time to do the paperwork.”
Long said the ATV will be used by both fire and rescue to respond to calls.
“The department averages about 10-12 calls a year. With hunting season upon us, it’s a great tool to have on hand, just in case,” he said.
“We have 28,050 square miles we cover, much of that is wooded and can only be accessed by foot or by ATV. This will make a big difference in handling cases in remote areas,” said Long.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
RESPONDING TO REMOTE calls will be a whole lot easier for Ashland Fire and Ambulance crews, with the receipt this year of a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund grant enabling the department to acquire this fully-equipped Polaris Ranger. Pictured showing how the back tilts is Pat Long, director of Ashland Ambulance. Leaning in on the driver’s side to show how the lights work is Harvey McLellan Jr., a member of the Ashland Fire Department.
