Emergency units affected slightly by activations

BANGOR – The appeal of high-energy work, adrenaline and a bit of danger often is the reason many firefighters and police officers also enlist in Maine National Guard units.

“One drawn to one uniform may likely be drawn to another,” said Mike Starn of the Maine Municipal Association.

Despite that philosophy, leaders of Maine police and fire departments, as well as emergency medical services, have reported little trouble with emergency personnel shortages as a result of the number of Mainers activated to serve in Iraq.

Though there are possibly hundreds of emergency workers activated across the state, most towns and cities are finding ways through overtime and shift adjustments to fill the gaps until the soldiers return home.

In Bangor, Police Chief Donald Winslow said two officers had been activated from his department.

“It has impacted us,” Winslow said, “especially when you combine that with the additional demands that have been placed upon us since 9-11.”

The chief, however, noted that losing two officers from a department of 76 was not nearly as significant as it would be in communities that have smaller departments.

In Houlton, where two auxiliary officers have been activated, police Chief Don Soucy said the city recently hired two officers to fill the gaps. He noted that both the auxiliary officers would be welcome back when they returned from active duty.

Soucy said the activation of Guard units was far less of a problem than the general recruiting difficulties faced by departments across the state. “It’s just a difficult time finding people interested and qualified,” Soucy said. “And from what I’ve been hearing, it isn’t just up here, but everywhere.”

Maine State Police Troop J, which covers Washington and Hancock counties, has been among the hardest-hit during the war in Iraq, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Troop J, the state’s smallest troop with just 15 troopers, lost three for a while this past year, McCausland said. The holes were filled by the other troopers who had to work overtime, he said. Two of those troopers since have returned home, while one remains activated, he said.

Overall, nine have been activated and already have returned, while six more troopers and a public safety employee remain activated, he said.

“Perhaps we are feeling it most with one of our pilots,” McCausland said. “We only have two in the whole state and one of them has been activated. That leaves the other one to do it all.”

State police pilots are used primarily for speed control, air surveillance and emergency transportation.

Neither Ray Bradshaw of Maine State Emergency Services, nor Starn of the Maine Municipal Association, which helps out with the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, had heard any reports of emergency worker shortages caused by the activation.

“We’re always short-handed in the world of EMS,” said Bradshaw. “That’s nothing new. That’s our reality every day.”