Bar Harbor Fire Department

05/31/2026

This past week, Bar Harbor firefighters have been practicing vehicle extrication -- how to cut apart cars to remove people trapped inside following a collision. The training included the slightly surreal experience of cutting up a former department utility vehicle.

Over the past couple of years, the department has enhanced its extrication capability through new equipment, including electronic cutting and spreading tools ("the jaws of life") and struts to secure vehicles in odd positions.

05/12/2026

Yesterday, we conducted our annual confined space rescue training, with instruction by Specialty Response Solutions, Inc. and some tight spaces provided by the Jackson Lab.

05/11/2026

On Saturday, Bar Harbor firefighters got the chance to attend Healthy Kids Day at the Mount Desert Island YMCA, giving kids a behind-the-scenes look at how we deal with emergencies.

05/04/2026

05/03/2026

Captain Stu welcomed Bar Harbor firefighters aboard The Cat for a safety tour of the vessel. This giant ferry carries up to 800 passengers and 200 vehicles between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia every day during the summer. Mitigating potential emergencies on this boat represents unique challenges and requires close collaboration between first responders and the crew.

05/01/2026

Bar Harbor firefighters recently worked with our friends at Jackson Lab to test how much water their hydrants could flow. The answer was a lot.

04/28/2026

Welcome to our newest employee, firefighter/paramedic Nick Peppard! Nick comes to us from Wisconsin, bringing 21 years of fire/EMS experience with him. Nick said he came to Bar Harbor because it’s a good area to raise his three children.

04/24/2026

Did you know that Bar Harbor Fire Department provides and installs car seats to income-eligible Mainers? As the only distribution site for miles around, we want to ensure our youngest community members and neighbors stay safe on the move.

Review the requirements below and call the station to book an appointment (207-288-5533).

For more about this state program, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dps/bhs/safety-programs/child-passenger-safety/car-seat-distribution-locations

PHOTO: Deputy Chief Lennon unboxes the department's latest delivery of state-purchased car seats.

04/20/2026

Welcome to our new employee, firefighter/EMT Thomas Sawyer! A Hancock County local, Thomas grew up in Ellsworth and got his firefighter training at Hancock County Fire Academy.

04/18/2026

This week, Bar Harbor firefighters have been reviewing operation of our portable pumps. These pumps are like hand-held fire engines, allowing us to vacuum water out of streams and lakes to fight remote forest fires. They can also be handy for emptying severely flooded basements.