York County Chiefs Association

03/25/2026

02/23/2026

📢 NEW SAFETY REPORT 🚒

Evaluation of Three Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Involved in a Near Miss While Operating at a Structure Fire

Critical insights into an SCBA near-miss event — a must-read for anyone focused on respiratory protection and operational safety.
📄 Read the full report:https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/pdfs/2026/02/HoustonFireDepartmentTX27934.pdf

01/09/2026

2026 Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association Professional Development ConferenceMarch 25-27, 2026Sunday River Resort, Newry The Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association returns to Sunday River for our 2026 Professional Development Conference. The Maine Fire Service Institute and Maine Fire Protection Services Comm...

12/31/2025

In this episode of the CAN Report, I hav e a great conversation with Chief Russell Osgood, a dedicated fire service leader with nearly 40 years of experience...

10/02/2025

The Arctic Compressor will be demoed at York County EMA on Monday October 6 beginning at 11:30am.

We are kicking off our Arctic Compressor LLC All Power Roadshow this weekend in Williston VT with the New England FOOLS at their HOT Training! We are looking forward to visiting our customers over the next month and showing them what this bad boy can do!

Join us at a location near you! RSVP Here: https://www.arcticcompressor.com/bergeron-protective-clothing-equipment/all-power-roadshow/

09/17/2025

Join us for a fun-filled and educational day at the Biddeford Fire Department Open House! This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to meet your local first responders, explore safety demonstrations, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages:

🔸 Live Demonstrations: Model Structure Fires, Vehicle Extrication, CPR & Stop the Bleed, Fire Extinguisher Training, and more.
🔸 Hands-On Activities: Build Your Own First Aid Kit, Second Floor Window Escape Drills, Guided Museum Tours, Gear Try-On Station, Fire Safety Smoke House, bicycle helmet fittings, and a special public safety-themed Home Depot Kids Workshop!
🔸 Giveaways: First Aid Kits, Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, Escape Ladders, Flashlights, and more.
🔸 Family Fun: Face painting, balloons, contests, photo opportunities, and educational handouts.
🔸 Food: Linda’s Hotdogs will be on-site with food available for purchase.
🔸 Participating Organizations: Biddeford Fire Department, Biddeford Police Department, Biddeford Recreation Department, York County Emergency Management Agency, Maine State Fire Marshal's Office, Maine Warden Service, Scarborough Police Department, Maine Water Company, The Home Depot, Apex Youth Connection, Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation

Bring the whole family and learn valuable safety skills while having fun!

09/12/2025

Partnership Spotlight: Sanford Regional Communications Center (SRCC).

As we move forward with our spotlight program, we will gradually transition to highlighting our community partners, private corporations, and other law enforcement agencies. This week, we will highlight how our partnership with the Sanford RCC “Dispatch” helps our mission to protect and serve. Though it might be obvious that the SRCC and police departments work together, it’s not always clear how we help each other get the job done.

Dispatch is the central hub of communication, bridging the first contact with the public to the responders in the field. They gather information and quickly relay it so officers have the best possible picture before they arrive. They aren’t just taking notes; they are actively assessing the situation, identifying risks, and prioritizing critical details to pass on to responders in real time. The information gathered can make the difference between an officer walking into a dangerous situation blind or arriving with the awareness to protect themselves and others.

Strong teamwork between dispatchers and officers relies on clear communication, mutual trust, and professionalism. Dispatchers must provide accurate, concise, and timely information, while officers need to keep dispatch updated with developments in the field. This two-way exchange ensures everyone has situational awareness

The calm and composed presence of dispatchers provides stability in moments of chaos, ensuring that critical details are not lost. Adaptability and calm under pressure are key. Both dispatchers and officers often face rapidly changing situations; staying composed and flexible allows them to work as one team to keep the community safe. By maintaining awareness of what the officers are doing in the field and managing communication across multiple units, dispatch allows officers to stay focused on the scene, knowing they have a steady line of support behind them.

Dispatchers continue to play a role long after the call begins. They track units, coordinate additional resources, monitor the incident, run records checks, and remain a lifeline for responders until the incident is resolved. Their role is often behind the scenes, but it is vital to both community and responder safety.
Equally important are respect and trust. Officers depend on dispatch to be their lifeline during critical moments, and dispatch depends on officers to act on the information provided. When both sides value each other, collaboration is seamless.

Dispatchers want the public to understand that every question they ask has a purpose. While some may feel personal or repetitive in a stressful moment, those details are often what give officers, firefighters, or paramedics the information they need to respond safely and effectively. Want to learn more about your local 911 Dispatch Center and the vital work our team does every day? Stay connected - like and follow their social media page for updates, tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we keep our community safe.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Sanford-Regional-Communications-Center-100068175954757/

09/11/2025

It's hard to believe we have a generation of firefighters who never experienced this day. Teach them well . . .

09/07/2025

Seven of our members completed the Stephen Ward 9/11 Memorial 5k this morning in Gorham alongside firefighters from Gorham, Windham, Raymond, Portland and Westbrook. This annual event is a way to reflect and remember the 343 firefighters and all of the innocent lives lost 24 years ago this week.

08/28/2025

Fire danger 'very high' in York County

The woods, fields and lawns in York County and beyond are far too dry, prompting fire officials in many of the 29 county municipalities to institute a burn ban.

The fire danger in York County remains in the ‘very high,’ category on the scale, York County fire and emergency management officials say. The next category is ‘extreme.’

York County has experienced 15 wildfires from Aug. 1 to 27, and a total of 66 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 27, according to Lt. George Harris of the Maine Forest Service. He said there have been 214 wildfires statewide since Aug. 1, and 617 since Jan 1.

https://www.yorkcountymaine.gov/post/fire-danger-very-high-in-york-county

08/24/2025

08/12/2025

How experts say you can help prevent wildfires, as hot and dry conditions increase fire danger.