Julia Jalbert, right, reacts after looking at the remains of her brother’s house Aug. 2 prior to a vigil for her brother and sister-in-law who died in a fire July 28. Many members of the community came out to honor the beloved couple at Spurrs Corner Church, right next door to the Jalbert’s home in Otisfield. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

OTISFIELD — The small and close-knit community of Otisfield was rocked recently when it learned that two of its own had perished during a house fire.

The fire was called in by a neighbor of the home’s residents Jean and Donna Jalbert at 11:30 p.m. July 28.

“The first thing we look for on scene at a structure fire are people,” Jeni Jordan, an EMS volunteer with Otisfield Fire Department. “To know if people got out or may still be inside. We did not see anyone and had to assume they had not been able to get out.”

Through the night and well into the next day fire crews, including from many surrounding towns, first battled the flames and then focused on recovering the home’s occupants. Neighbors from across town flocked to the Jalberts’ house to support the fire department in its grim task.

“Almost immediately, people came from their houses asking, ‘What can we do? What can we do?'” Jordan said. “Text messages, Facebook messages and literally people coming to the scene. We were at a loss at first, as our priority was the home.

“Our EMS Chief, Beth Damon, called me the next morning about it and we discussed how people could help. She brought up the idea of starting some kind of a fund, where we could provide community members with some essential things.”

Otisfield has established a charitable program in their name, the Jalbert Generosity Fund, to help ensure all Otisfield residents have access to fire detection and safety equipment in their homes. supplied image

Damon suggested a plan to aggregate safety equipment, from smoke detectors, batteries, to carbon monoxide sensors and fire extinguishers, available to the community, would be a fitting way for Otisfield residents to honor the Jalberts, help the fire department and support their neighbors.

With that phone conversation, Otisfield established the Jalbert Generosity Fund, a program that provides its residents with lifesaving fire detection and prevention devices as well as training to use them.

“We’d had a recent fire in town where someone hit it with their own extinguisher, which is a huge asset to have in rural Maine,” Jordan continued. “By the time your fire department arrives, it can take more than several minutes. We want everyone to have these [tools].”

OFD is partnering with Depot Square Hardware and Variety, a firefighter owned store located in nearby Mechanic Falls, to for bulk purchases of household fire prevention equipment that will be stocked and distributed to residents from the fire department.

By Friday, Aug. 2, the fund reached $1,000 and the first batch of equipment had arrived at the fire station on State Route 121. Community members may pick items up on the first Monday of every month between 7-9 p.m. when Damon conducts in-house truck inspections.

There are no income requirements for Otisfield residents to take advantage of the service. The only stipulation is that they maintain their residence in town – which extends to seasonal home owners as well.

Jordan said that she and Damon will accept donations for the Jalbert Generosity Fund until Aug. 16. Checks may be mailed to: EMS Chief Beth Damon, Otisfield Fire Rescue, 994 St Rt 121, Otisfield, ME 04270, dropped off at Otisfield Town Office during regular business hours or sent to: VENMO @ Jeni Jordan.

“Our slogan is neighbors helping neighbors,” Jordan said. “And I cannot say there is a more true statement. People come forward full force whenever help is needed.”