Fire Rescue Accession Program (FRAP)

FIRST RESPONDER ACCESSION PROGRAM (FRAP): Preparing Future First Responders
NOW SUBSIDIZED BY TOWN

All but a few of the OBIFD’s fire fighters, emergency medical personnel and drivers are over 50 years old. Some are in their 60s and 70s. Healthy but aging, retired individuals are essential to any volunteer fire department because of their availability to respond to larger numbers of calls and since they frequently have years of experience and knowledge. Nevertheless, there is a strong need for young blood with the speed, stamina and brawn to withstand the more arduous tasks involved in first response.

OBIFD’s recruitment attempts at Mt. Ararat High School and the Region 10 Technical High School had been unsuccessful. As a result, a closer-to-home, grassroots approach was adopted. The First Responder Accession Program (FRAP) was developed by Firefighter/Paramedic, Meriel Longley, and Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Sean Hall, both of whom are employed by the Town of Harpswell and serve as volunteers as well. The FRAP program aims to inspire and develop interest among Harpswell’s youth to train to
become first responders.

The FRAP training program is free and meets at the Orr’s Island Fire Station every Thursday night for training and demonstrations. Sessions last 3-4 hours each and are sometimes conducted in the field in the warmer months. The program is open to young residents, ages 18-25, from all sides of town and is designed to expose participants to various aspects of first responder roles and duties. Currently there are 12 highly focused participants, all 25 years old or younger. FRAP trainings are designed to teach many essential skills used in emergency response such as CPR/First Aid, water rescue techniques, fire hose deployment and use, rope rescue techniques, forceable entry and fire behavior, to name just a few of the training topics.

The program, which began in April, 2023, has become so successful that the Harpswell Board of Selectmen approved a budget to subsidize the teaching of the program as of October, 2023.

FRAP members have been able to earn certifications, not only in CPR and First Aid, but also in Wildlands Firefighter and Ice Water Rescue Technician.

The goal is to educate and inspire more young people go on to take courses to obtain
certification in fire fighting, (including firefighter levels I & II, which allow entry into burning buildings), emergency medical response (EMT or paramedic) and driving emergency vehicles. The FRAP program has so far proven to be interesting, engaging and empowering to these young participants and also provides much camaraderie and sense of community spirit. In the short time of its existence, three of its members have enrolled in the Fire Academy and one in EMT school.

For all interested in participating in the program, please contact Sean Hall at
[email protected] or Meriel Longley at [email protected].