PHIPPSBURG

The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday night recognized the Phippsburg Fire and Rescue Auxiliary as its choice for the 2012 Spirit of America Award.

Maine Spirit of America has invited the Fire and Rescue Auxiliary and Phippsburg officials to a ceremony honoring Sagadahoc County’s winners, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12. The celebration in the commissioner’s meeting room of the Sagadahoc County Courthouse on 752 High St. in Bath begins at 2:30 p.m.

Bruce Flaherty, president of Maine Spirit of America, thanked the town for its award.

“Thank you for your town conscientiously presenting the Phippsburg Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service at a local ceremony and telling us about the recipient,” Flaherty wrote in a letter. “The Phippsburg Fire and Rescue Auxiliary will receive a certificate (from a county commissioner) for your town achieving Maine Spirit of America’s Silver Distinction for efforts helping volunteerism.”

The Fire and Rescue Auxiliary was started in 1961 by wives of Phippsburg’s volunteer firefighters. Originally consisting of charter members Geneva Beals, Sylvia Blair, Betty Ames, Marita Doyle and Laura Nickerson, it has grown to a support organization of 20 members.

The Auxiliary volunteers support the Phippsburg Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments by providing meals, coffee, water and whatever else the Fire and Rescue personnel may need on fire calls, searches, controlled burns or other training events. 

The Auxiliary meets monthly and there are always two volunteers on call to immediately respond if needed to support the departments.

The group provides meals to citizens when the Fire Station is used as a shelter during emergencies, such as the Ice Storm of 1998.

The Auxiliary also conducts fundraising events throughout the year including a craft fair in both July and November and assists with the annual Firemen’s Field Day each year. The money raised is used to purchase equipment for the Fire and Rescue Departments.

Over the years they have assisted in the funding of emergency equipment such as Lifpak defibrillators, Stryker stair chairs, Jaws of Life, thermal imaging cameras, pumps, turnout gear and they also donated money toward an ambulance. In the past, the Auxiliary had a team that participated in Firemen’s Field Day events and they used to join the firefighters on a float during the July 4th parade in Bath.

“The town of Phippsburg is very fortunate to have this dedicated organization to support its Fire and Rescue Departments,” said Mike Young, town administrator.

The town chose Dickie Lemont for the award last year, and in 2010 picked the fire and rescue departments.

The Spirit of America Foundation was established in Augusta in 1990 to honor volunteerism.  The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented in the name of Maine municipalities to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable community service.