March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Hermon group raising funds for firefighting tool

We’re proud our Bangor Daily News colleagues got Friday’s paper out, despite waiting several hours in the dark to do it. However, only 12,000 copies were printed, and they are all gone.

Therefore, we have decided to rerun Friday’s column since our readers most interested in the news it contains didn’t get to see it!

Three cheers for the Hermon Fire Department, whose members were successful in obtaining a grant from an anonymous foundation to help them obtain a thermal imaging camera to better protect the residents they serve.

After successfully completing the application process, the grant was awarded with the stipulation the HFD must raise a minimum of $5,000 toward the purchase of that camera.

Firefigther Kathy Robinson and Lt. James Drew are co-chairing the “S.O.S. Campaign” which stands for “Seeing Others Survive.” Fund raising is already under way, but gets into full swing today and tomorrow.

“We have a one-year deadline to raise the $5,000,” Robinson told us.

“We started our fund raising in December, but are really kicking it off now” with a 50-50 cash raffle which will be drawn during Hermon Fun Days on July 11.

Firefighters will be selling their raffle tickets at the 12:50 p.m. opening of “Firestorm” at Hoyt’s Cinemas near the Bangor Mall, and will be there for each of the four remaining performances that day.

Then, members will be staffing a ticket table at Wal-Mart from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and at the same times and at the same location on Saturday, Jan. 24.

To date, Robinson said, “we have received two cash donations and one promised donation. Our first $50 donation came from Brian Smith of Hermon, a member of our department. Our second contribution is a promise of the last $500 from Eastern Maine Charities of Eastern Maine Healthcare.

“Then, the evening of our Christmas party, Hermon Fire Association members passed the boot and, from their out-of-pocket contributions, we raised more than $200.”

Robinson said the committee “is still working on getting contribution canisters out to local businesses,” and that S.O.S. committee members will be contacting area business owners seeking contributions.

“All of the proceeds go to the campaign,” she said of the individual fund-raisers, and any money raised “over and above the $5,000 will be used for maintenance, insurance and accessories for the camera.”

Because of the quality of its application, the HFD was also awarded the transmitter receiver which allows firefighters to monitor the movement of those inside the building and help guide them in their search through dense smoke for victims or possible trouble spots.

Robinson said the camera and the receiver are wonderful pieces of technology.

“You can be outside or actually be in one room and direct them in another, and watch what they are doing. I’ve done the training, and it really is amazing.”

Having to perform this extra work — voluntarily — to help protect those they serve, is no chore for these firefighters. In fact, they are happy they are able to do it.

“It’s something we talked about awhile ago,” Robinson said of trying to obtain the camera for the community.

“But I think we thought, maybe, it was out of our reach. Then we made out the grant application, and we got it, so now we’re on our way.”

Contributions to help with the HFD S.O.S. campaign may be sent to Hermon Fire S.O.S., P.O. Box 6106, Hermon 04402.

Anyone wishing further information may call Robinson, Drew or any members of the HFD at 848-5986.

We are sure that Penobscot County Deputy Sheriff John Skroski has been one busy man these past few days, with this horrible freezing rain causing problems throughout our area.

That is why we decided it was more important to get the word out about a coming event that he is involved with than to try and catch up with him to get more specific information.

For the record — if the weather doesn’t force a postponement — the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department and the Maine Warden Service will take part in a “shootout” of a different kind when representatives of the two public service organizations meet in a charity basketball game at 7 p.m Monday, Jan. 12, at the new Hermon High School on Route 2. Warm-up for the players begins at 6:30 p.m.

The game benefits Maine Special Olympics with your volunteer donation of $2, or more if you wish, accepted at the door

The Hermon Booster club will be providing refreshments to help you enjoy seeing these public servants “shoot it out” on the basketball court.

Also featured will be a halftime, three-point shootout for Hermon High School players.

The North Brooksville United Methodist Church S.H.A.R.E food program is changing its name and site, but not its mission.

According to information provided by local coordinator Jane Horton of Penobscot, the food-distribution program will now be known as SERVE to reflect the name change of the regional program, SERVE New England.

Individuals who wish to participate in SERVE may call Horton at 326-8721, or register from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the new site, the Penobscot United Methodist Church.

In this program, participants pre-pay $14 to purchase food, and are required to perform two hours of volunteer service. Food distribution is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at the church.

The Standpipe, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like