CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department was honored last Thursday during Caribou’s Thursdays on Sweden.
Sean Carroll, director of government affairs for the Congressional Fire Services Institute, presented the Excellence in Fire Service Based EMS award, co-sponsored by the Masimo Corporation, to the Caribou department in front, an enthusiastic crowd.
“The award recognizes fire departments throughout the nation that are undertaking exceptional and innovative work in the delivery of emergency medical services by showcasing best practices and fire based emergency medical care,” Carroll said. “The award is serving a pivotal role in educating fire departments across the nation on how they can enhance their own medical services.”
Three departments around the nation are selected each year to receive the prestigious award. The Caribou department was the first in the state of Maine to receive the honor.
“Here it is, everyone!” Fire Chief Scott Susi yelled as he held up the glass flame statue in front of Thursday’s crowd. “This is a great honor for the fire department. These guys all deserve it; they’re the ones that got the award. All the hard work, time and effort that they put into the department, all the extra hours, the weekends and nights of training, this is why we got this award. The department is not only honored to receive the award, but is humbled as well. Being recognized nationally shows that you don’t have to be a large metropolitan department in order to be one of the best in the country.”
“This is a very special honor for our city,” Mayor Gary Aiken said. “Senator Susan Collins, Congressman Bruce Poliquin and Senator Angus King have all offered their public congratulations.”
City Manager Austin Bleess said not only are the members of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department dedicated civil servants, they’re a great crew of guys, “All of them are wonderful. They’re not just great firemen, they’re great people to have as active members of the community.”
One good turn deserves another; Chief Susi was honored again on Saturday as The American Legion’s Firefighter of the Year. 176 American Legion Posts throughout the State of Maine submit candidates from their respective localities for the recognition. Henry B. Pratt Jr. of Post 15 in Caribou nominated Chief Susi.
The award was formally presented to him during the Legion’s 97th annual State Convention held recently at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
“I am very humbled to get the award considering all the great firefighters in the state of Maine,” Chief Susi said. “It is an honor to be recognized by such a group of individuals that are considered to be true national heroes. I had no idea about being nominated for the award.”
Susi attributed the honor to his countless hours of training, his progressive changes to the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department and his military background.
