Ellsworth Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 3402

10/03/2026

🔥 THREE FIREFIGHTERS.

Two structure fires in a row.

Two times our crew arrived with just three firefighters.

For perspective, NFPA staffing guidance for a typical residential structure fire calls for an effective response force of 15 firefighters arriving within the specified response-time objective.

We arrived with three.

That means three people initially trying to accomplish the jobs a structure fire can demand almost simultaneously:

Getting water on the fire.
Establishing a reliable water supply.
Searching for trapped occupants.
Forcing entry.
Ventilating.
Raising ladders.
Protecting exposures.
Operating the pump.
Maintaining command and accountability.
Providing a rapid-intervention capability if a firefighter gets into trouble.

This isn’t about questioning the dedication of the firefighters who show up.

They show up. They go to work. They do everything they can with the resources available.

But there is a point where there simply aren’t enough hands to perform every critical task at once.

A house fire doesn’t slow down because only three firefighters arrived.

The fire keeps growing. Smoke keeps spreading. Conditions keep changing.

Staffing matters.

It matters to the family waiting outside.

It matters to the person who may still be inside.

And it matters to the firefighters walking through the front door.

Two fires in a row.

Three firefighters on arrival.

That should start a conversation.

07/31/2026

The daughter of one of our founding members needs your help!

Charity, her son Jacob, and her husband Joey are facing an incredibly … Kristin Daye needs your support for Support Charity’s Stroke Recovery and Family Needs

07/01/2026

In case you needed a reminder!

03/28/2026

After 5 hours at a motel fire, we’re cleaning tools and packs and Chief walks in with enough breakfast for everyone! 😍

03/25/2026

When minutes matter, the number of boots on the ground is the difference between a "close call" and a saved life. We’re talking about Effective Response Force, and here is why backfilling vacancies and maintaining a 5-person minimum crew is non-negotiable:

⏱️ The Rule of Five

To safely and effectively operate, a single engine and ambulance team needs a minimum of 5 firefighters. Here’s the breakdown of why that number is the "magic number" for your safety:
• 2 Inside: Two firefighters enter the "IDLH" (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) zone to fight the fire or perform a rescue.
• 2 Outside: Per federal OSHA safety standards (Two-In/Two-Out), two firefighters must remain outside, ready to rescue the team inside if something goes wrong.
• 1 Pump/Apparatus Operator: One dedicated professional to ensure constant water pressure and manage the complex equipment that keeps the team alive.

🚑 More Than Just Fire

Three out of every four emergencies we respond to is a medical incident. With the need for us to transport the patient increasing significantly, these calls can take an hour. Two personnel respond to these calls (unless it is a CPR incident), leaving 3 to respond to the inevitable fire call. That small of a number prohibits us from entering an IDLH environment where the problem is best mitigated, usually.

⚠️ The Risk of Vacancies

When we don't backfill a vacancy, we aren't just "short-staffed"—we are compromised.
• Slower Response: Smaller crews have to wait for second units to arrive before they can safely enter a burning building.
• Increased Burnout: Overworked crews lead to fatigue, and in our line of work, fatigue leads to mistakes.
• Community Risk: A vacant seat on a fire truck is a gap in your community's safety net.

Where Does Overtime Come From:

In order to have five personnel working 24/7/365 the Ellsworth Fire Department uses four shifts of five people on a rotating schedule. Under perfect conditions the five people who are assigned to a shift or “crew” all come to work. However if someone is absent because they are sick, injured, on vacation, or serving in the military (25% of the EFD is in the Army or Air National Guard) their shift must be covered with overtime. At current staffing levels there are no “extra” employees to cover open shifts without overtime.
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Bottom Line: Emergency services are an investment in the worst day of your life. We owe it to our residents to arrive with the full strength needed to handle the job.

01/29/2026

Join us at Helen’s in support of our friend!

Please join us Monday night!! Heidi was such a bright light in our community, let’s show this family our full community support.

PLEASE SHARE

12/30/2025

Hermon FD captain says staffing matters after quick response to building fire. Story link: https://tinyurl.com/47hn5mvh