Since the beginning of this global pandemic, the members of the Scarborough Fire Department knew our role in the response would be unlike anything we have every faced. It included putting on layers of personal protective equipment, responding to emergency calls, working extra-long hours away from family, and assisting local residents and businesses with sorting through the litany of COVID-19 information that came out on what seemed an hourly basis. For over a year now, our Fire Department staff have stepped up to meet every challenge and get it done professionally and with compassion. I couldn’t be prouder of our EMS providers and the integrated emergency medical system we have here in Scarborough.
There was no hesitation when we were contacted by the State of Maine to ask us to be one of three Cumberland County fire departments to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to our public safety partners throughout the county. This important mission required a fair amount of administrative work both in the beginning and sustained throughout the vaccination efforts. It also required a large number of our licensed health care providers to sign up on their days off to help give those much sought after shots.
On Dec. 28, Scarborough Fire Department delivered the first vaccinations to our staff that would eventually go forth and vaccinate fire, EMS, as well as local, state and federal law enforcement officers across Cumberland County. Scarborough’s EMS personnel delivered vaccines from our new public safety building classroom, and traveled to other host locations such as North Yarmouth Community Center, Cumberland Fire Department, and Eastpoint Christian Church. Without these host locations and the logistical support from the departments in those areas, our mission would have been much more difficult.
With the turn of the calendar to March 2021, a full year after the pandemic was declared, the Scarborough Fire Department has completed our portion of this mission. To date, we have participated in the vaccination of more than 1,200 public safety professionals representing Scarborough, North East Mobile Health, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Gray, New Gloucester, Pownal, Freeport, State Police, county sheriffs, Wardens Service, Forest Service, State Fire Marshal’s office, Marine Patrol, and courthouse security officers.
Earlier this week, we delivered our last 120 second doses to successfully complete our mission. Based on the close proximity of the mass-vaccination clinic in Scarborough, we have consciously decided not to take on a public vaccination role at this time. However, we are willing to fill any gaps and support any current programs if the needs arise in the future. Thank you to our EMS professionals for a critically important job very well done!
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