Westbrook Fire Department

10/14/2026

We have been having fun visiting so many schools and Day Care facilities during Fire Prevention Month. Thank you for the warm reception at Roselyn North Academy last week.

10/09/2026

Strong communities are built through strong partnerships, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of two organizations that have invested significantly in the safety of our firefighters and our community.

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS), our local partner, recently donated $7,817 to assist the Westbrook Fire Department with the purchase of new gas meters. This donation matches the support we received from Enbridge through its Safe Community First Responder Program. Enbridge is a major North American energy infrastructure company that operates natural gas transmission systems and supports first responders and communities through its community investment programs.

These handheld gas detection devices are an essential piece of firefighter safety equipment. They help identify dangerous and potentially lethal gases and atmospheric conditions, and our crews use them multiple times a week at residential structures, commercial buildings, and industrial complexes. These devices help protect our firefighters, the occupants we are responding to, and ultimately save lives.

Support from organizations like PNGTS and Enbridge also helps reduce the burden on local taxpayers. Upgrading critical safety equipment to the newest available technology can be cost-prohibitive, and these partnerships allow us to make important investments that might otherwise have to be delayed.

We have worked with both organizations over the years, and their support has been extremely beneficial to the Westbrook Fire Department. PNGTS, in particular, has been an outstanding local partner and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the safety of our community and our firefighters.

We sincerely thank PNGTS and Enbridge for their generosity, their continued partnership, and their investment in the people who serve Westbrook. Your support truly makes a difference.

06/05/2026

Happy Friday! Today, we discuss a simple way that you can help us!

How does the Fire Department find my house?

When you dial 911, our dispatch Westbrook Maine Public Safety Communications will confirm your address and ask you a series of questions related to where you are calling from. They will enter the information in our system which is visible to our staff via our in-truck systems.

Our fire department uses a GPS system to locate address’. Each ambulance and fire truck is equipped with an iPad that gives us an idea of where you are when you need us.

That said, GPS isn’t always 100%, so we encourage everyone to ensure that your house is easily identifiable in an emergency.
Things you can do to assist us:

- ensure that your house has at least 4 inch visible numbers, permanently affixed to your home
- Check to make sure your mailbox numbers are also visible from both sides. Make sure they aren’t faded, or peeling
- Describe landmarks and or special features of your location (ie. House color, house style, flag poles etc.)

These simple steps will ensure that when seconds matter, help will be able to find you quickly and efficiently.

05/22/2026

Happy Friday! We appreciate all the questions we’ve received in our inbox so far and look forward to answering questions each week. This week’s submission is one we hear often.

What do firefighters do when they’re not on calls?

While Westbrook responds to an average of 14-15 emergency responses in a 24 period, our days aren’t always filled with emergencies. Other task firefighters accomplish between emergencies throughout the day:

- Training and practicing skills
- Inspecting and maintaining equipment
- Checking fire apparatus
- Conducting public education and community outreach
- Building Safety Surveys
- Completing reports and administrative tasks
- Cleaning and maintaining the station

Preparing and planning for emergency response takes significant focus and forethought. Though mostly behind the scenes, the important work is what fills a typical day.

05/21/2026

Westbrook Fire is proud to announce our participation in a new pilot program under the guidance of the Maine Medical Direction & Practices Board, Maine EMS, and MaineHealth – Comprehensive Addiction Medicine- Portland. Our team’s paramedics will be trained to deliver Buprenorphine, a medication that helps bridge the gap between emergency treatment and definitive care using a physician approved administration protocol.

This innovative initiative is the result of a strong collaboration with the Westbrook Maine Police Department's Drug Recovery Liaisons and our dedicated Paramedics, who will help deliver life-saving treatment and enrollment to recovery support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Maine currently has the eighth-highest overdose death rate in the United States, making programs like this critical to improving access to care and saving lives.

The pilot program starts this summer.

05/15/2026

Happy Friday! Today’s question clarifies some of the terms we use regularly, that although may seem interchangeable, have vastly different means and requirements.

What’s the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

EMT: Provides basic emergency medical care such as CPR, oxygen, bleeding control, and patient assessment. The schooling takes roughly 6 months.

Paramedic: Provides advanced medical care including cardiac monitoring, IV medications, advanced airway management, and more. The schooling takes roughly two years (in addition to the 6 months for EMT)

The Westbrook Fire Department staff is almost exclusively trained at the paramedic level. This means when you call 911, you begin receiving the highest level of prehospital medical care as soon as the ambulance or fire truck arrives.

Have another question for FAQ Friday? Send us a private message!

05/08/2026

Happy Friday! Thank you to all those who submitted comments to our inbox. Our second week brings up another question we get continuously.

What are the rules regarding burning brush and having campfires in Westbrook?

Please refer to the city website for all questions regarding burn permits, rules, and regulations.

As a reminder, both city fire stations are able to issue burn permits after 9am. And all city firefighters are able to answer questions or clarify the rules should you need.

Burning permits may be obtained from either of the two fire stations on the day you plan to conduct a burn.

05/01/2026

Why do fire trucks respond to medical calls?
It’s a question we hear often—and it’s a great place to start our friday FAQ.

Why is a fire engine showing up for a medical emergency? Firefighters in Westbrook are trained as paramedics, meaning they can begin medical care right away. When every second counts, having more trained professionals on scene can make a real difference.

What’s the benefit of sending both an ambulance and a fire truck?Some emergencies require more than two hands. Fire crews can assist with patient care, lifting, CPR, starting an IV or preparing a patient for transport. This team approach helps deliver faster, more effective treatment.

Is this common practice? Yes. Across the country, fire departments routinely respond to medical calls as part of an integrated emergency response system designed to get help to you as quickly as possible.

Our goal is simple: provide the right care, at the right time, with the right resources.

04/27/2026

Westbrook Fire is excited to create a new way to connect with our followers and our community.

Starting May 1, we'll begin FAQ Friday!

Each Friday, we'll answer questions from our community and followers about our department, fire safety, emergncy response, training, and more.

Have a question you'd like us to cover? Send us your questions through a message right here on Facebook and it may be featured in an upcoming post.

We look forward to connecting and sharing more about the department and how we serve our community!

04/15/2026

Three candidates, all Firefighter/Paramedics, completed an eight week recruit school and officially graduated Monday in a ceremony at the public safety building. Please join us in welcoming Westbrook’s newest firefighters who start on their respective shifts this week! Congratulations, recruit class 26-01!