Casey Johnson presented the fire-services slides prepared by Chief Bacon and told attendees the data show Rangeley accounts for the majority of responses this year. "Rangeley is at 70%" he said, while comparing year-to-date 2025 numbers with 2024 when Rangeley accounted for roughly 65% of the department’s calls.

The presentation covered the department’s service offerings (courtesy inspections, insurance/ISO review assistance, CPR and fire-safety trainings on request, urban-wildland mitigation) and emphasized that non-fire responses — vehicle accidents, downed trees and other hazards — also drive call volume. Johnson emphasized that the fire department does not have discretion to ignore 911 requests: "They respond to calls other than fire."

Officials discussed the department’s ISO/ICS-related scores. The presenter characterized the scoring system and explained that improvements in prevention and training affect community-risk reduction points. Participants asked whether offering open, seasonal community trainings (CPR and fire-prevention workshops) could increase the community-risk reduction score; the presenter said points reflect current training and staffing levels.

Several attendees urged exploring dry hydrants in remote areas to improve water-access for pumpers and potentially lower insurance scores. A fire warden reported Sandy Brook Plantation is pursuing dry hydrants and has scheduled a mapping meeting with forest rangers to identify feasible locations and funding sources; Tamara Benson (later in the meeting) said CRP grants can fund emergency-management and infrastructure work.

Participants also discussed mutual aid and whether the region should press the county or state to resume broader forest and wildfire-suppression responsibilities. No formal changes to mutual-aid agreements were made; attendees asked staff to pursue technical follow-up and grant options.

What’s next: plantations pursuing dry-hydrant siting, consideration of regional training events to increase community-risk reduction points, and staff follow-up on grant opportunities and mutual-aid clarifications.