PRESS RELEASE

The Board of Selectmen release the following information for public information in response to the recent media coverage concerning Shapleigh Fire and Rescue services:

For a clear explanation of calls made by Shapleigh Fire and EMS, please review the following list of total calls for service for 2021:

Shapleigh Fire Department

Motor vehicle accidents with injuries = 6

Motor vehicle accidents with no injuries = 25

Medical assist = 43

Public assist = 9

CO detour activation = 5

Fire alarm activations = 8

Structure fires = 4

Smoke investigations = 4

Car fires = 4

Chimney fires = 4

Outside campfires = 1

Woods fires = 11

Trees and wires down = 17

Water rescue = 1

Hazmat = 4

Station coverage = 11

Welfare check = 1

Mutual aid fire calls = 12

Total calls for service in 2021 = 170

* Of these 170 calls for service, the Fire Department was unable to respond to only one call; this was due to the Fire Department already on scene at a separate Medical Assist call. That missed call was handled through mutual aid.

* Fire Chief Steve Guillemette recently conducted a full inventory of Firefighter gear, which was found to be in full compliance. The issued gear does not expire until 2023.

Regarding Shapleigh EMS, the taxpayers of Shapleigh have fully funded the Rescue Department for 24/7, 365 coverage. However, shifts are going unfilled on a weekly basis requiring assistance from neighboring towns. Shapleigh is not alone in this problem. Staffing is very difficult to come by in these trying times. The Board of Selectmen are aware of this and are closely monitoring it. In addition, the Board is looking into other options and recently hosted a presentation by the chairman of the Maine Ambulance Association, who strongly recommends a small town such as Shapleigh look into a regional approach. Also, there is a private service scheduled to make a presentation to the Board for consideration this coming Tuesday. Additionally, the rescue chief and assistant chief have put forth a plan to hire full-time personnel which the Selectmen are also looking at.

The Shapleigh Board of Selectmen remains committed to providing the best possible public safety to the residents of Shapleigh.

The Shapleigh Board of Selectmen have been working for over several months to set up meetings and hear proposals from several entities in response to the Shapleigh Fire and Shapleigh Rescue manning shortfall.  These efforts include scheduled meetings with private ambulance companies, reviewing budget availability for current per diem slots and full-time positions, and discussing outreach options to increase visibility for potential applicants.  At this time, the Board is analyzing costs associated with these proposals.