On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Cape Elizabeth Fire Chief Peter Gleeson provided the Town Council with further information regarding future organizational changes and building renovations to the Fire and Rescue Department.  Chair Jeremy Gabrielson said, “Over the course of a few years we have been working with the fire department to formulate a plan for how we can transition the department from what traditionally was a mostly-volunteer department to what is increasingly a professional department for both the fire and rescue side.”  The subject, which was addressed in a June Memo and discussed during a June 6 council workshop, explained that the Fire Department would be requesting full-time firefighters/paramedic employees and additional per diem staffing for each 12-hour shifts.    

Gleeson said in the more recent October 5 report, “I try to show where we were 15-20 years ago, where we are today, and some visions for the future.”  According to Gleeson, over this time period the call volume for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) has increased and become more complex, while the number of volunteers has gone from 35 to 15.  “The decline in volunteers is nationwide,” and the EMS training requirements have increased, “to meet the challenges,” Gleeson writes.  The current call volume for the fire department has remained steady over the last couple of years, averaging between 1100 to 1200 calls a year – with EMS services in the majority.

Currently, most of the emergencies are answered by per diem staff.  “We have a terrific staff, but at some point, we need to look at what the next step is and the next step is full-time people.  We are the only department in greater Portland who does not have full-time staff, other than myself and our administrator,” he said.  Per the report, the National Fire Protection Associations recommends a minimum of six people for a structure fire.  Currently, the Town Center Station has four people per shift.  Without a minimum of six people, the squad is not allowed to initiate interior operations such as search and ventilation.

In addition, Gleeson said that the fire station building has been used as a full-time department building for twenty years and is starting to show its age from increased use.  It has some infrastructure issues, particularly with the HVAC systems and would need two additional bedrooms to allow for six staff-persons per each overnight shift.  Gleeson recommends that a committee be formed to look at renovations, “We are landlocked as far as going out, so the only option is up.”  

Gleeson plans to retire in the early part of next year and wants a successor to be well positioned.  Gleeson, who lives in town, said, “Ideally this person will live in town and have a lot of energy to take over.  We have many challenges, but I think they can be met.”

Town Manager Matthew Sturgis said that the next step would be to hold a workshop and look to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for implementing improvements.