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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	October, 2007	Return to newsletter index

Biddeford and Saco Fire Departments Continue to work closer together

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Firefighters from Biddeford and Saco work together at a recent house fire.

In March of 2007 the Biddeford and Saco fire departments began discussions about fireground operations in mind with one clear mission in mind "To create a safe and efficient fireground through deployment of sufficient resources, adequate manpower, and common management practices". Our goal is to become "more alike than different" in our fireground polices, practices, and operations.

Since March the coordination between departments continues to increase. Traditionally either department was capable of providing adequate manpower for fire suppression, but new recommended safety standards by the National Fire Protection Association endorsed by both the International Association of Firefighters, and the National Fire Chiefs Association call for more manpower during the initial attack on structure fires. With shift manning a major limitation to both departments' abilities, the departments agreed to send their primary structural attack engine with a full crew to the other's city on the initial report of a working structure fire. This crew is immediately available for tactical assignment be it fire attack, search and rescue, ventilation, or any assignment needing completion. The mutual aid engine arrives with an officer that is authorized to back up the initial attack in any manor he deems necessary if the initial Arriving officer is in the fire building in the "fast attack mode" This policy change has been well received by all members of both departments.

The departments have begun a joint organized Emergency Medical Training program for on-duty crews that allow crews to train together monthly. Each department hosts the training twice per month with once per month a night session so members of the call department can participate. In October each department will participate in Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support training.

Additional joint trainings are scheduled including Ice Rescue Technician level, elevator rescue, fire command series, and boat training. Next month Biddeford will include Saco in familiarization tours of some major facilities.