Pine Point
Fire Company
Engine Four
Scarborough Fire
Department
246 U. S. Route One,
Scarborough, Maine 04074
emergency call 911 /
business phone 207-883-4542
Marine Four
About 1978 the Pine Point Fire Company realized that we had a tremendous liability off our many miles of beaches and river banks. Over the years we had responded to drownings, and calls for boats in distress but had always had to use local lobstermen's boats to effect a rescue. We decided it was time to purchase the Town's first rescue boat. We held a variety of fund raisers, including a door to door campaign of Pine Point and Blue Point. Once again our neighbors where quick to donate. We purchased a used 16 foot Grumman aluminum boat with a 25 hp outboard and trailer. We equipped it with rescue and safety equipment and started responding to water rescue calls.
As time went on we discovered that the boat was too small for a reasonable crew and victims. The aluminum hull was also hard to work out of. In 1982 we applied to the State Police for a boat that had been confiscated by the Drug Enforcement Agency. We were successful and acquired an inflatable Zodiac with a 75 hp outboard and a center console. This boat was extremely stable, and adequately handled a three man crew plus victims. It was credited with saving dozens of lives. Shortly after we put it in service, we had a boat capsize in Saco Bay. We were able to rescue all four victims from certain drowning. By 1996 the Zodiac was quickly becoming outdated for many of the search and rescue calls we were now handling on a regular basis. It had served us well, but did not have many of the essential rescue tools that we use today.
In 1997 the town
recognized our need for a more advanced marine rescue unit and purchased our
current rescue boat. It is a 21'Justice manufactured by Boston Whaler and
is powered by a 225hp long shaft Johnson outboard motor. This new boat has
in fact, allowed us to expand our service to the community. It is equipped with a
GPS navigation system, cellular phone, lights, siren, searchlights, headset
intercom / radio system, cold water rescue suits, blankets, life jackets, life
lines, tow lines, medical kits, and an AED. It can comfortably carry
a crew of 6 plus victims. In fact, the boat was put to the test the
very first time we trained with it. During our training we came upon 2
individuals that had capsized their sea kayaks. They were
pulled from the 40 degree water and treated for hypothermia. Once the new
boat was put into service, several members of Engine 4 did an extensive amount
of fundraising and purchased 4 complete wetsuits to enhance our water rescue
capabilities. Currently we have 4 members on our rescue swim team; Harbor
Master Dave Corbeau, Lt. Richard Lamontagne, Karl Finley, and Glen Reed.
Corbeau and Reed are also certified divers.
Today the Scarborough Fire Department has two boats, ours in Pine Point, and one stationed at Engine 1 station at Harmon's Corner on the other side of the Scarborough River. On all water rescue calls we use both boats and work as a team on search and rescue for both effectiveness, and the safety of our own personnel. We also have mutual aid agreements with the Towns of Old Orchard Beach & Cape Elizabeth whereby their marine units respond to those areas adjacent to their communities.
   Date Updated: 01-15-02 Page Keeper: Glen Reed sfd420@maine.rr.com |