GEORGETOWN

Back in June, Justin LoDolce was appointed as fire and EMS chief of the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department. As one of the youngest members of the department, LoDolce shares what the experience has been like so far, and his vision for the department.

The Times Record: What is your background in firefighting?

Justin LoDolce: It has now been eight years since I joined the fire department. I started in the fire service as a volunteer at the age of 18, while working a summer job and taking classes at the local community college.

Throughout high school, I struggled to define myself and my role in the community. Though I enrolled in honors and advanced placement classes, my grades suffered from a lack of motivation. I never thought of myself as someone who could make a difference as a public servant, but two firefighters did and talked me into joining the local fire department.

I took every fire and EMS class that I could. It was a lot of work, but it was very rewarding. I earned two associate degrees from Southern Maine Community College, one in fire science and the other in paramedicine. During that time, I spent three years as an EMT and another three years as an advanced EMT.

TR: What are some of the main challenges of your position?

JL: Running an emergency scene is something that most firefighters and EMS providers can do, but the real challenge of a fire chief is ensuring an effective administration. Maintaining compliance and licensure is just a small part of the job.

TR: What goals do you have as Fire/EMS chief?

JL: As a volunteer organization, we work to find a place for those willing to help. Many people have told me they would like to help our organization, but are averse to ambulance work or firefighting.

There are many tasks in the firehouse that people of all backgrounds can assist with — finances, maintenance and community outreach are some examples. Financially, we rely primarily on donations. Because we don’t bill, our ambulance service is free to use. Our department saves the taxpayers money and through the efforts of the volunteers, Georgetown is a much safer place to live.

TR: What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect about your work?

JL: The most rewarding aspect of the job is the camaraderie that is felt from working as a team to help a member of the community. Although the majority of our patients are friends, families and neighbors, we also offer mutual aid services to the surrounding communities.

TR: How do you hope your skills will benefit the town of Georgetown?

JL: I feel that my strength is in the ability to delegate tasks, as the members of the Georgetown Fire Department do the majority of the work in the firehouse.

The goal is to create an environment where the firefighters and EMTs are comfortable performing their duties and are valued as providers.

dkim@timesrecord.com