For Immediate Release
October 3, 2018
Contact: Zeth Lundy, Public Information Coordinator
(207) 992-4268
zeth.lundy@bangormaine.gov
Bangor Fire Chief Thomas Higgins Named 2018 Fire Chief of the Year
BANGOR, MAINE – Bangor Fire Chief Thomas Higgins received the 2018 Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association at a ceremony in Augusta on October 3, 2018. Chief Higgins has served as the Bangor Fire Chief for over four years. Prior to his tenure as Fire Chief, Chief Higgins served for over 20 years in a variety of positions in the Bangor Fire Department.
Chief Higgins has worked to institute a number of substantial changes that have resulted in superior service and value for the citizens of Bangor, including: life safety inspections of thousands of rental units throughout the city; advocacy for safety equipment and training; acquisition of upgraded engines, ladder trucks, ambulances, and safety equipment; safety improvements to the regional training facility at Bangor International Airport; and obtaining a SAFER grant for five-year funding of four firefighter/EMT positions.
During the October 2017 windstorm that left parts of the city without power for more than a week, Chief Higgins worked with Emera, the Red Cross, and city staff to identify the scope of the problem, effectively advocate for neighborhoods in need, set up temporary shelters for those with prolonged power outages, and proactively work to identify strategies to mitigate the impact of the outages. As a result, Chief Higgins was asked to testify on behalf of the City and Fire Department on the response of Emera during the storm, resulting in better emergency protocols and communications strategy for the communities throughout the state when dealing with regulated utilities.
The Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association is a leading advocacy group for Fire Services in Maine. It provides leadership on issues of fire and life safety, emergency medical services, and emergency management.
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The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 33,039 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.