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Fire Chief Mike Eaton reports record 13 calls in July; SCBA order, repeater work, and grant needs highlighted
Summary
Fire Chief Mike Eaton told the Hope Select Board that July was the busiest month on record with 13 calls, described progress on an SCBA replacement with an estimated six-month lead time, and flagged needs for helmets, radios and a radio repeater to improve communications.
Fire Chief Mike Eaton told the Hope Select Board on Aug. 12, 2025, that the Hope Fire Department logged a record 13 calls in July and is moving forward with several equipment and training initiatives intended to maintain response capability.
Eaton said the department recorded 13 calls in July — surpassing what he identified as the prior record of nine — and that two members have resigned while two prospective recruits are expected to join (one an experienced firefighter/EMT and one without experience). "I think 9 was the old record," Eaton said, describing July as a very busy month. He also logged 131 department hours for July and noted he has taken on the Town Fire Warden duties.
Eaton described recent operational steps: department training on a new fuel station ("This fuel station will be a huge asset for us because we have been having trouble getting fuel at Maritime"), plans to place an SCBA order by mid-month with a roughly six-month lead time, and work with a colleague named John on a radio repeater system to allow communication over mountain terrain that will benefit both Public Works and Fire. He reported annual hose testing was completed with limited losses (two 4-inch LDH hoses and two 2½-inch hoses) and said he has asked Noah to pursue grant opportunities for helmets and radios. Eaton also said he has hired a consultant to create a compliance manual after uncovering issues during recent reviews.
The July call breakdown Eaton provided included seven alarm calls (one faulty carbon-monoxide alarm and six faulty smoke detectors), one ambulance lift assist, three mutual-aid responses (Camden, Lincolnville and Rockport), one structure fire caused by a cell phone charging on the floor, and one utility call for a tree in wires.
Eaton cautioned that the SCBA order carries a lead time of about six months and that grant funding will be needed to accelerate equipment replacement. He invited residents to visit the station on Wednesday afternoons for updates or questions. The board took no formal action on department purchases at the meeting; funding or procurement next steps were not set.
