Fire chief reports quick first‑week response times, notes paging glitches and tanker update

Orono — Fire Chief Van Eyel updated the council July 8 on the Orono Fire Department's first week of operations from the Navarre garage, reporting rapid response times on multiple calls and noting equipment and paging issues under resolution.

Chief Van Eyel said the department answered five calls during the first week after moving into Navarre on July 1, with three calls canceled and response times often meeting or approaching goals. "Our goal was to have them in in service in about 60 seconds, 80% of the time. We're not quite there yet, but we're dang close," he said, citing specific responses of about 19 seconds for one call and roughly one to two minutes for others.

The chief described a significant gasoline spill that involved about 20 gallons leaking from a tank; police triggered an emergency shutoff and firefighters responded to contain the spill. He credited the duty crew for their work on that incident.

Chief Van Eyel also described automated paging glitches tied to the vendor transition to automated paging. "Some of it's logistics on their side. Some of it's the automated paging," he said, noting the department is receiving updates through its apps and that the vendor was working on protocols.

On equipment, the chief said the city currently has an interim tanker borrowed from Long Lake while the new tanker's chassis and parts are being assembled in Rochester and the outfitting crew is scheduled to work to completion. He said he will provide an update to councilmembers when the delivery schedule is firm.

Council members thanked the chief and called for continued updates as the department settles into the new operating posture.