Chandler Madore was a fellow who started hanging out at the fire house in Van Buren hometown at an early age.

He, like many in the profession, hails from a family of firefighters.

Fast forward a few years to June 20, 2024 – the night he and several others marked several months of hard work that led to their certification as Maine firefighters.

Madore has been with Saco Fire Department for eight months, and had been a volunteer with the Van Buren department before making the move to southern Maine. Not long ago, he graduated from an EMT program – as in most Maine communities, Saco’s department provides emergency medical services as well as fighting fires and dealing with an array of other emergencies.

“I fell in love with firefighting,” Madore said, and has gained experience working with his Saco colleagues.

Isabella Smith, a Kennebunkport dispatcher and call firefighter with her hometown department, said both roles offer her the opportunity to help folks in her community.

“And it’s exciting; there’s always something new,” said Smith. She is the fifth generation of her family to become a firefighter, and among those on hand to cheer her at graduation, held at Thornton Academy in Saco, were her father Shawn and grandfather Royal.

Addressing classmates, instructors, and family, Smith said the hands-on training that complemented classroom work was challenging.

“I wasn’t a huge fan of heights,” she said, recalling ladder training day. “My instructors believed in me.”

Elliott Payne, a call firefighter with the Shapleigh department and now certified, said his next step is to take an EMS program. “I hope to make a career if it.”

Madore, Smith, Payne and 13 others, most who are working or volunteering for area fire departments, are now graduates of the York County Fire Chief Association’s Firefighter 1 and 2 courses, rigorous programs that start in late December and run through the end of May. Studying is done during the week after daily work schedules, and hands-on training is conducted on weekends. The chief’s association
program operates in partnership with the York County Fire/EMS Office.

As well, 18 Sanford Regional Technical Center firefighting students completed Firefighter 1 and 2 programs, studying and learning through hands-on applications throughout the school year. SRTC draws students from eight high schools from around the region.

“They worked hard, and learned a lot,” said longtime SRTC Fire Science instructor Harold Smith.

Alexandria White of Arundel is 17 and knows where she wants to land after she completes high school next year.

The SRTC student said she plans to work locally and earn her associate degree in fire science, with an eye to a somewhat unique future endeavor.

“I want to do mountain search and rescue,” White said. It is a skill that runs in the family – her father at one time volunteered with the ski patrol, doing mountain rescue in New Hampshire.

SRTC student Rylie Wright of Waterboro – the Maine winner of the Skills USA competition in firefighting, was to be off to Atlanta, Georgia, a few days after the ceremony to compete in the national competition.

“I’ve always heard firefighting is a great career,” she said, noting her father is a Portland firefighter.

SRTC student Ryan Barrett of Kittery is applying to area departments, looking to build his skills.

“I want to help people,” he said.

Students complete a rigorous training program that includes health and safety protocols, fire behavior, hazardous materials, firefighting tactics, forest firefighting, hose and appliances, ground ladders, personal protective equipment, car fires, structure fires, mental health and resilience, forcible entry, sprinkler and alarm systems, building construction, and more – 240 hours of training in all.

Sen. Matt Harrington, a former firefighter who later became a law enforcement officer, serves on the Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. He spoke of recent fire and EMS legislation, and wished the graduates well.

Harrington said the Legislature has started supporting firefighters and emergency medical service professionals more – allocating $250,000 for diesel exhaust systems and heavy duty extractor washing machines to reduce occupational cancer; $12 million to help Maine’s most vulnerable EMS services at risk of closing, another $19 million in grants for long term sustainability, and $1.5 million in funding for fire service training facilities. Harrington noted a bill he sponsored requiring vacant seats on the Maine EMS Board be filled passed, though he said several remain vacant, including a York County seat.

He told graduates they should be proud of their accomplishments.

“I know I speak for everyone here when I say that we are all incredibly proud of you,” Harrington said.

“Congratulations, and stay safe.”

“Recruiting and retaining qualified and committed staff… is challenging,” said York County Fire Administrator Roger Hooper. “It’s refreshing to see young people who want to serve, and pursue a fire service career.”

Hooper said he looks forward to the day there is a fixed facility and permanent staff to deliver this program and others. He noted this was the 38th annual York County Fire Academy.

“We are fortunate to have such quality training close to home,” he said.

Saco Fire Department Division Chief Raynald Legendre, program manager of the York County Fire Chief Association training program, spoke to the graduates: “Be true to yourself, continue your training, be a team player, and remember – everybody goes home.”

Tammy Wells is a media specialist with York County Government.

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