Staff Writer
Members of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department gathered recently to celebrate the retirement of one of their own.
Contributed photo
Mayor Kenneth Murchison, left, and Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods present an award to firefighter and paramedic Mark Baker, center, for his service to the community spanning 26 years through the Caribou Fire Department.
Mark Baker, longtime firefighter and paramedic retired April 19, after more than 26 years of service to the citizens of Caribou and surrounding communities.
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods welcomed over 70 firefighters, guests and friends to the retirement supper held April 20 at the fire station during which he recounted many of Baker’s accomplishments spanning the years of his fire/medical service.
Baker began his Emergency Medical Services career with the former Lamb’s Ambulance Service. In 1983 the city of Caribou decided to begin offering ambulance service through the fire department and hired Baker as one of its first EMTs.
According to Chief Woods, “Mark has been instrumental in forming many of the EMS policies and procedures that we have in place today. He is also a certified flight-paramedic and helped start the department’s very successful fixed-wing flight service.”
Following the chief’s comments, CFD Capt. Steve Sperry recounted many fond memories of Baker working on his crew and how Baker could always be counted on to do his part. Several others also spoke about various funny and personal moments spent with him over the years.
Contributed photo
The retirement banquet for Mark Baker.
It was recalled how Baker was active in the Tommy Trauma Program at Cary Medical Center and how he had spent many hours in support of Cary’s Diabetes Camp Adventure. It was also noted that Mark spearheaded the drive to raise money for the Pine Tree Camps during the Alaska to Maine Ride of the Millennium, an effort that raised over $20,000 for the children’s camps. Baker was also recently honored by Maine EMS for 30 years of service to his community.
Following a plaque and watch presentation by Chief Woods, Rep. Peter Edgecomb presented Baker with a Maine Legislative Proclamation; Caribou Mayor Ken Murchison offered the city of Caribou’s heartfelt thanks for his many years of service.
Sen. Susan Collins also sent a note thanking Baker for his years of service.
Baker and his wife Ann, who is employed by DFAS, plan to relocate near Tampa, Florida, where Ann has recently accepted a position. The couple have lived in Caribou for many years with their two sons, Justin and Matthew.
