CHESTERVILLE – David Archer, fire chief for the town of Chesterville, learned the truth behind two common expressions on Friday.

He now knows first-hand what goes around comes around and that the third time really is a charm.

After baking in the cab of the town’s red fire engine he drove through Farmington’s sweltering hour-long Independence Day parade, he arrived home to find his town had collected $49,050 from the Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Chesterville’s check is just one of three that was sent to Maine, with Stoneham and Van Buren departments also receiving a piece of the $356,791 pie in the second wave of Fire Act Grants awarded.

The department, Archer said, will use its new funds to purchase 10 new sets of head-to-toe turnout gear, which cost around $1,100 per outfit, and 10 self-contained breathing apparatuses, which cost between $3,500 and $4,000 per unit.

Archer admitted he was a little bit surprised to find out the department, which has a volunteer squad of 23 people and answers anywhere from 30 to 60 calls each year, two or three of which are for structure fires, had received the award this time around.

Already, he noted, they have applied twice for the federal funding, but were refused both times. This time, instead of asking for money to buy a truck, they decided firefighter safety was a top priority.

“We were very lucky,” Archer said. “This will be a big help and a big step for us.”

Much of the equipment that will be replaced thanks to the fresh funding is upwards of 20 years old and obsolete, he said. The department is “excited” to get the new safety equipment, in which they should be outfitted by the end of July.

The official announcement was made Thursday by Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, who said it was timely that the departments were receiving assistance the day before the Fourth of July.

“As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, we are reminded of the role our firefighters play in the safety of all Americans,” they said in a joint statement. “This funding insures that Maine firefighters can continue to protect their communities. It also helps protect firefighters in performing their vital duty.”

In other Chesterville Fire Department news, the unit has applied for its first responders license so it can assist Life Star ambulance at the scene. The department should have that certification sometime in August.

Currently, five firefighters in the department are certified as emergency medical technicians, and nine more just graduated from a certification course.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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