 |
| Jon Poitras |
By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Limestone’s 22-person volunteer fire department may have new leadership at its helm, but the chief is anything but new with the department.
Now the third generation of the Poitras family to be chief in Limestone, Volunteer Fire Chief Jon Poitras, formerly a lieutenant, has been with the department since he was a 16-year-old junior firefighter back in 1994 — but even as a kid growing up, he’d often go across the street to the fire station instead of going to the park.
Poitras began his tenure as chief on July 1, the same day that Limestone’s contract with Fort Fairfield for a shared fire chief officially concluded. He replaces longtime Chief Paul Durepo, who served as Limestone Fire Chief from 1984 until 1999, when he became the Fort Fairfield Fire Chief; in 2004, Limestone and Fort Fairfield contracted for the shared cost of a chief and Durepo oversaw fire protection services for both communities until retiring with the contract’s conclusion on July 1. (Former Fort Fairfield Assistant Chief Michael Jalbert is now that town’s fire chief).
Poitras said that Durepo always did a good job for the town, but he’s excited to bring a bit of change to the department.
“Paul was with us for quite a while, and I have some new ideas,” Poitras said.
The new chief explained that some key equipment pieces of the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department have been obtained through the volunteers fund-raising efforts — like the vehicle extrication equipment, the Gator and the trailer that hauls the Gator – and Poitras is looking forward to working with the volunteer crew to see what they’d like to bring to the department next.
Of course, all the services that Limestone residents have become accustomed to will continue — right down to the annual Toy Drive the department conducts around the holidays. Aside from overseeing the paid staff and the volunteers, Poitras also performs the duties of the town’s Fire Warden.
Outside of the station, Poitras works full-time with Maine Public Service and is raising two sons, Carsen and Kaleb, with his wife, Angela — he’s a pretty busy guy, but he’s excited for the opportunity to serve Limestone as fire chief.
“It’s a job … but it’s almost a hobby,” he said.
The department is always looking for new volunteers and Poitras encourages anyone interested to pick up an application at the Town Office.
“We meet on Monday nights, and the door is always open,” he said.
The new chief can be reached by calling 325-4705 (the Fire Department non-emergency line) and leaving a message.
