On Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at the station at central station (270 Main Street), the Gorham Fire/Rescue Department will hold their second community information session including a Q&A session, apparatus tours, and a station tour. Whether you are interested in joining, or just want to learn more about the department, this info session is for you. To register for this event, send an email to senright@gorham.me.us and specify if you will be joining in person or need a link to join virtually.
In the interest of public fire safety, the deparment wants the public to understand what kind of training it takes to be a firefighter and EMT, what our fire department actually does, the equipment that is used, and what opportunities are available for those interested and willing to join the department.
According to Captain Gabe Cyr, our department is still very much a community-based organization with a variety of ways to serve the department.
A full-time firefighter, EMT/paramedics have shifts at the central station on an 8-day cycle, 24 hours on, 48 hours off, 24 hours on, 4 days off, with full benefits.
Per diem firefighters/EMTs work 12-hour shifts at the central station. They offer their availability for the next month, and are plugged into the schedule where needed.
Some are on the ‘call company,’ responding from anywhere within town (home, grocery store, etc.) when available to incidents, or respond to the nearest fire station to respond with apparatus (fire truck). These fire fighter/EMTs are notified via pager and phone system.
The Fire Police Division provides traffic control at incidents. The department also has a live-in student program, the Junior Firefighter Program (minimum age 15) and a Westbrook vocational program for high school students looking for a career in public safety.
As an employee of the Town of Gorham and the Gorham Fire Department in any capacity, workers are paid for all they do with the department, including time on incidents, department-offered trainings, tuition assistance and reimbursement opportunities with prior approval and demonstrated benefit to the department. All personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by the department. There are required levels of training and engagement/activity with the department.
Four stations are strategically operated by the Gorham Fire Department: North Gorham, White Rock, West Gorham, and Central (staffed). The outlying stations rely on the on-call company, live-in students for apparatus response.
The department has a need for call company, per diem, live-in students, and fire police members who play a vital role in its operational ability to serve the community when needed the most.