Fire Attack School

The 2012 Western Maine Fire Attack School was once again a huge success. Over 100 students and instructors from Maine and New Hampshire came to Bethel for the sixth year in a row on May 19 and 20 and participated in one of the following classes: Firefighter Search and Rescue, Pumps 1, Thermal Imaging, Managing a Mayday, Vehicle Extrication and Stabilization, Progressive Rope Rescue and Truck Company Operations.

This School could not be a success without the help and support of the community. The following helped make it possible: Bethel Foodliner, Bethel Historical Society, Bethel Inn, Bethel Library, Bethel Highway Department, Bethel Rescue, Bethel Town Office, Bethel Water District, Cross Excavation, Dan Myers, D.A. Wilson and Co., Dunkin Donuts, Eric Windsor Photography, Gaudreau's Repairs, Gould Academy, Ken Dixon, Lowell's Saw Shop, Mallard Mart, MT Pockets Towing, Norseman Cycles, Pine Tree Waste, RSU 10, SAD 44 and their drivers Carol and Joyce, Savage Portable Toilets, Western Maine Supply, Young's Machine and Welding, and the many area fire departments who provided equipment. Vendors at the school included: Allen Uniform, Bergeron Protective Clothing, Fire Tech and Safety of New England, Golden Mountain Apparel, HSE Gould, New England Industrial & Marine, and Northeast Apparatus. I apologize if I have missed anyone. A special thank you goes to the Bethel Firefighters Mike Fleet and Cody Dux who spent the better part of two weeks before the school building props, Jim and Robin Bennett who spent one long night hauling a prop from Andover to Bethel, and Les Thurston for another amazing BBQ.

Fire Chief Magazine's Editor Janet Wilmoth visited the school a few years ago as a guest speaker and last year's school earned a spot in the May 2012 issue with an article written by Vicky Schmidt of Buckfield and has photos of several Bethel firefighters. Our little school is very proud to be in a magazine that has monthly articles from FDNY, Chicago, Los Angeles and other large departments.

Once again, thank you to all who help make this happen every year.

Mike Jodrey

Chief, Bethel Fire Departments, and VP Frandford (Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford) Mutual Aid Fire Training Association