Hancock County Fire Academy

05/30/2026

SOUTHWEST HARBOR — Every year in Hancock County, a small group of cadets from different backgrounds and walks of life gather at the Ellsworth Fire Department’s Training Center for a

05/21/2026

🔥 Another successful training weekend at the Academy! 🔥

Our cadets showcased their skills during a live fire burn exercise, putting into practice everything they have learned so far. Later in the day, they trained on controlling the flow from a sprinkler head using wooden wedges. It was a safe, educational, and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Throughout the weekend, cadets rotated through a variety of essential fireground training stations, including:

🚒 Live burns
🪜 Ladder truck climb
💨 Ventilation techniques
🔍 Search and rescue
🧯 Extinguisher training
🪢 Tool hoisting
🏠 Chimney and roof ladder operations

Cadets also had the opportunity to train using the MFSI water trailer. This incredible training device allowed them to work with wet and dry sprinkler systems, fire department connections, hose standpipes, fire alarm systems, and residential sprinkler systems.

Special thanks to the Lamoine Volunteer Fire for apparatus and personnel. We would also like to thank both Southwest Harbor Fire Department and Eastbrook Fire Department for supplying personnel from each station that helped maintain crucial water supply for our live burns evolutions.

Training like this builds confidence, strengthens teamwork, and develops the skills needed to safely and effectively serve and protect our communities.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism shown by every cadet throughout the Academy! 👏🔥

05/10/2026

05/06/2026

This past weekend, cadets took part in a series of hands-on training evolutions, including wall breaching, door entry, ventilation techniques, ladder rescues, and VES. On Sunday, training intensified with a Class B propane burn, where cadets practiced deploying two hoselines to create a protective water curtain while advancing in a coordinated cadence. The day also included car fire scenarios, reinforcing critical firefighting skills. Throughout the weekend, safety remained the top priority—and our cadets rose to the challenge.

HCFA would like to extend our sincere thanks to Franklin Maine Volunteer Fire Department for providing an engine and water supply on April 25th.

We are especially grateful to Dead River for their educational propane lecture, led by Mark Anderson, as well as supplying fuel and personnel. We also want to recognize the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department and Southwest Harbor Fire Departments for providing both personnel and apparatus to support the essential water supply operations during our live burns on April 26th. A special thank you goes to Chief Guillerault of Ellsworth Fire Department for serving as lead safety officer.

We truly could not accomplish this training without the support of these dedicated partners. Here’s to continued learning, strong teamwork, and keeping our communities safe.

05/05/2026

Today marks 5 years since we lost our brother, Robert "Bobby" Dorr Jr., call sign "204." It is hard to believe you aren't with us. Five years have passed, yet the weight of that loss still hits hard. On May 5, 2021, Bobby was taken from us far too soon at the age of 43, ending a brave 16-month battle with occupational colon cancer contracted in the line of duty.

Bobby answered a lifelong calling to serve. Joining the Ellsworth Fire Department in 2009, he quickly rose through the ranks to become Deputy Chief and served as a Lead Instructor at the Hancock County Fire Academy for five years. His career was defined by a commitment to professionalism and duty. He was the only Ellsworth firefighter to be named Firefighter of the Year three times (2012, 2016, 2017) and received the Captain Joel Barnes Award for outstanding service in 2021.

Even after his diagnosis, Bobby's focus remained on protecting his fellow firefighters. He spearheaded a fundraising effort to equip every firefighter in Hancock County and his hometown of Steuben with particulate flash hoods to prevent cancer. That mission continues today: every graduate of the Hancock County Fire Academy receives a flash hood in his memory, a lasting legacy of his care for the team.

Bobby was an inspiration who lived by a strict code. He embodied "The Big 4" principles of the fire service:

Do Your Job
Treat People Right
All In Attitude
All Out Effort

And he added a vital fifth principle that defined his character: "Leave it better than you found it."

His work set a standard we still strive to meet.

"We'll always have one more for 204."

Read more about his heroic service:

Deputy Chief Robert Dorr Jr., age 43, of the Ellsworth Fire Department died on May 5, 2021, from complications of cancer.

04/21/2026

Training Update:

On April 11th cadets training at HCFA focused on building and refining the critical skills required for today’s fireground operations. Stations for the day included working from a ladder/hose operations, advanced search and rescue, fire suppression tactics and planning, use of ground monitors and foam, expanding knowledge on salvage covers, and practicing propane cadence in preparation for our upcoming live burns. This training would not have been possible without the help of Orland Fire Department - Maine and Eastbrook Fire Department for providing engines and water. Thank you to both departments and the personnel they provided to make this happen.

On April 12th cadets practiced vehicle extrication techniques using hydraulic and battery-powered cutting and spreading tools. These essential rescue tools, often called "the jaws of life," are used to cut through cars and rip open vehicles' doors to safely release occupants that have been in an accident.

This day involves a lot of hard work, not only for the cadets, but also for those involved in making it possible. That said, Hancock County Fire Academy would like to thank the following people and businesses for their support.

Thank you to Chris Grindle taking leading and teaching our classroom portion of training.

A warm thank you goes out to our hosts at Dave's Auto Repair and Towing and their amazing crew. They shared their facility with us, had many vehicles to practice on, and served an amazing lunch.

Also, a shout out to the Maine Fire Service Institute Chris Poremby, Chris Connor, and Steve Heckman for their expertise, and for use of their extrication trailer with state-of-the-art tools for us to learn with.

Additional equipment was provided by Chad Bean of HSE Fire Safety Equipment.

Finally special thanks to Ryan Stackpole for demonstration the deployment of some airbags.

Days like this spent with amazing people all working together to train up the next generation of firefighters is what HCFA is all about, we couldn’t do this without you.

03/23/2026

🔥 Hancock County Fire Academy Training Update 🔥

The Hancock County Fire Academy would like to begin by expressing its sincere appreciation to the Eastbrook Fire Department for providing an engine, which allowed cadets to gain valuable experience in hoseline operations.

We also extend our gratitude to Maine Forestry personnel, Nicholas Bolduc and Brian Getchell, for their time & expertise in delivering instruction on forestry & wildland fire fundamentals, with an emphasis on safety.

Cadets demonstrated strong commitment & professionalism throughout an intensive training weekend designed to enhance technical skills, reinforce safe practices, and ensure preparedness for a wide range of emergency response situations.

Training evolutions included:
🚒 Chainsaw safety & operations conducted on a roof
🚒 Tool hoisting techniques on a variety of equipment
🚒 Operating & advancing hoselines, including stairway operations
🚒 Use of a K saw to cut through a garage door & rebar
🚒 Hydrant operations to establish a reliable water supply
🚒 Forestry & wildland fundamentals, including fire shelter deployment
🚒 Lifts, carries, and drags for victim rescue
🚒 Propane cadence training for a live fire burn

We commend all cadets & instructors for their dedication, discipline, and continued commitment to protecting their communities. Your hard work is both recognized & appreciated. Keep pushing forward! 💪🔥

03/13/2026

🚒 Hazmat Training at the Hancock County Fire Academy 🚒

Members of the Hancock County Fire Academy recently participated in an in-depth Hazardous Materials (HazMat) training session led by Allen Nygren of Specialty Response Solutions, Inc.

This hands-on training provided firefighters and emergency responders with valuable instruction on hazardous materials awareness, response strategies, scene safety, and incident management. Opportunities like this ensure our responders stay prepared to safely and effectively manage hazardous materials incidents in our communities.

A sincere thank you to Allen Nygren and Specialty Response Solutions, Inc. for sharing his expertise and supporting the continued professional development of our emergency responders.
Training like this strengthens our readiness and helps protect both our responders and the residents of Hancock County.

02/26/2026

🚒 Training News 🚒

The Hancock County Fire Academy would like to extend our sincere thanks to those who played a vital role in this past weekend’s training.

A special thank you to Chief Chris Holmes of Hancock Maine Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their engine and ladders during our evolutions. We are also incredibly grateful for going above and beyond to assist with repairs to our flagpole — a gesture that reflects true commitment to service and community.

The Academy would also like to recognize Battalion Chief Jeremy LeClair of Ellsworth Fire Department for leading an impactful discussion on firefighter mental health. These conversations are critical to strengthening not just our skills on the fireground, but the well-being of the firefighters who serve.

The cadets trained hard dedicating time to:

🔥 Hose Loads & Advancements – Practicing efficient hose deployment and advancing of several different hose loads with control and coordination.
🧯 Hose Maintenance & Hose Rolls – Ensuring our equipment remains reliable and ready for use, and is stored properly.
🕸 Entanglement & Mayday Calls – Reinforcing self-rescue techniques and clear Mayday communication under pressure.
💧 Water Removal Operations – Utilizing a chute and catch-all system for effective water management.
🎈 2-Firefighter Balloon Toss Drill – Strengthening communication, coordination, and teamwork in a dynamic scenario used to protect property.
🪜 24-Foot Ladder & Roof Ladder Deployment – Practicing safe and efficient ladder placement and roof operations.

Training isn’t just about checking boxes — it’s about preparation, professionalism, and protecting our community and each other. Every drill strengthens our skills, our confidence, and our brotherhood/sisterhood.

02/20/2026

🔥 Training Recap 🔥
Our cadets recently completed a packed and powerful weekend of learning!

We were fortunate to be hosted by the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, where Chief Heckman delivered an outstanding, in‑depth presentation on fire protection systems. With his experience as an instructor at MFSI and EMCC, multiple FDIC presentations, and several published articles in Fire Engineering, this was a rare opportunity for our cadets to learn from one of the best in the field. We’re incredibly grateful for the time and expertise he shared. The session also included hands‑on practice focusing on ladder carries, giving cadets the chance to apply what they learned.

Training continued with a Building Construction presentation from a member of the Ellsworth Fire Department, followed by lessons on fire behavior. Cadets watched a dollhouse burn demonstration while learning how to control the flow path- a favorite and an excellent visual learning tool! The day rounded out with practical skill stations including ladder throws, tool hoisting, basic search & rescue, DRD conversions, and RIT pack operations.

A big thank‑you to MFSI for providing the dollhouse, and special shout out to the Hancock Fire Department for lending us a ladder for the weekend’s evolutions- your support helped make this training possible!

Huge thanks to all the instructors and departments who helped make this training such a success. Our cadets continue putting in the work and building skills that matter!

📸 Stay tuned for photos and more training highlights!