The End of An Era.........or the Start of Something WONDERFUL??

GOODBYE LEBANON RESCUE DEPARTMENT!!

HELLO LEBANON FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENT!!

 

The old signs came down around 2 pm on

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Your NEW Lebanon Fire and EMS flagpole, signs and building paint job will be completed and in place for the

October 3, 2015 Re-Dedication!!!

 

BUH-BYE to Lebanon's Embarassment!!

HELLO to Community, Involvement, and Pride!!

 

Thank you SO much to Chuck and Corey

of C&C Sign, Lebanon, ME

 

Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting 8/13/15

 

The Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting began promptly at 4 pm with Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson making a motion to allow Treasurer Jeanette Lemay to secure a $1 million dollar TAN (tax appropriated note) through Kennebunk Savings Bank on behalf of the town. Selectman Nadeau 2nd the motion, and the Board voted 3 in favor 0 opposed.  The closing for the TAN will take place on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 3 pm.

Selectman Thompson reads a notice from the Board to go out to all department heads, requesting that they hold back on spending money on non-essential purchases until October 2015 to try and help the town from having to use money from the TAN.

Treasurer Lemay takes a minute to remind the Board what the TAN money can be spent on.

Nadeau has second thoughts about signing the note, but signs it anyway.

Selectmen's Assistant Sue Collins reminds Selectman of upcoming bid openings on Monday, August 17, 2014. Bids to be opened will be for Bituminous Paving, IT Services, Sanding and Painting of the Town Office, and Electrical Services. ***Interested parties should contact the town office for bid specs***

Selectmen's Assistant Collins is in the meeting to speak to the Board regarding the Town Office being able to collect donations of school supplies for families who can not afford them, and asking for permission regarding the collection of foodstuffs for Holiday Baskets. A large discussion follows regarding collecting on Town Office time, keeping the Lobby and Foyer neat and clean, and why they think there is a need to collect school supplies and holiday basket foods.

Small discussion about the scheduling for completion of assessing town properties.

 

SEE Part 1 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting 8/13/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymRTTNGrIJQ

 

The second part of tonight's video shows questions about assessing and the difference between "just value" and "fair market value" as answered by Selectman Thompson and Selectman Heath. And about the ability of Selectmen to access every property in town for assessing purposes.

 

WATCH Part 2 of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Video

from 8/13/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLXXtUFfgh8

 

Part 3 of the 8/13/15 Selectmen's Meeting video shows the Board as they motion to go into Executive Session with Town Clerk Mandy Grenier to discuss Employment Applications received for the position of Part Time Collector and Deputy Clerk.

 

WATCH this tiny little segment of video as the Board and Town Clerk Enter into Executive Session on 8/13/15...HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6bhLAWVxmw

 

The next little piece of video is not of the Selectmen's Meeting, but of the Town Office sign as seen on Channel 6 WCSH News by many folks who have reacted with embarrassment and disgust that the sign could look so bad. As you will see, it's BAD, but not as bad as we originally thought.

 

SEE the Town Office Sign from BOTH Sides HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-IcJeAn7Q8

 

The fourth section of the Board of Selectmen's meeting of 8/13/15 shows the Board's return from Executive Session with Town Clerk Mandy Grenier and their discussion with her regarding the use of Town Office space and Town Office Employees to collect the donations of school supplies and Holiday Basket foods. Lebanon Truth Seeker Sandy Adams took the time during the Board's Executive Session to speak with the Town Librarian, Marcy, who has agreed to be responsible for picking up all donations twice a week from the Town Office and taking them to the school. Grenier agrees that she has no problem with the Town Office Employees collecting the donations, however, she says that she will watch the process and put some policies in place.

 

Follow Along as the Select Board speaks to the Town Clerk at the 8/13/15 Meeting HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNShH_kmIF8

 

In Part 5 of the 8/13/15 Selectmen's Meeting Video, you will see Gabriel LaPointe, a Lebanon resident, appear before the Board to ask questions regarding a bank appraisal on his home that is fully $50K less than the town is assessing the property for. Although Thompson does not find fault with the fact that the two evaluations of the property could be so far apart in their numbers, something that is said during the conversation sparks his interest, mostly on the actual size of the dwelling. There is quite a bit of discussion regarding assessing procedures and a lot is explained.

After Mr. LaPointe leaves the office, Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker Deborah Dorey Wilson requests a moment to ask a question, and is granted time. The question is regarding just WHO is working at the Transfer Station on Saturdays. The Board recently announced a new hire, Roger Nault, but apparently has also hired a young lady, Jen Griffin, a Lebanon resident. Also working on Saturday, 8/8/15 was Transfer Station Manager Ronal Patch's grandson, Jordan, who frequently fills in, and there was someone else working there as well. It seems there was a man named Mike working there, the Town's recent hire for the Road Crew. When questioned on this, Selectman Nadeau states, "We always done it and I done it again," adding that this was the way Selectman Heath first came to the Transfer Station. The question continues that if all of these people were all working at the Transfer Station, WHY were both Selectmen Heath and Nadeau working there as well?? Although a resident had seen them both there, and reported Nadeau operating the "button" (that operates the Transfer Station Compactor), Nadeau states that he was "Not working there, per se."

The resident had reported that she had seen Selectman Heath and Nadeau inside the Transfer Station attendants building with Transfer Station Manager, Ronal Patch, however, Nadeau maintains that Patch was not on the premises as he and his brother Robert, were in Vermont at the time, thus the reason he was there, "checking up on the new hires" and making sure everything was okay.

Selectman Thompson is angry over this revelation, stating that he is confused as to why they were both at the Transfer Station where they no longer are employed. Selectman Heath states that he "Is a little confused myself" and that "It was done with all good intentions."

 

 

SEE this Eye Opening fifth part of the 8/13/15 Selectmen's Meeting Video HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9KEDPQctx8

 

The Sixth session of this long meeting of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen, shows Lebanon Resident Dot Brown as she arrives for her appointment with the Board to discuss the most recent assessment and valuation of the home she owns on Upper Cross Road, stating the Board had assessed her $50K on her home, after it had suffered a lot of damage in a 2012 fire, and is uninhabitable. Selectman Thompson explains a few reasons to Ms. Brown, and he states he will have a second look at the property on Saturday.

 

WATCH as Another Lebanon Resident checks her Property Tax Assessment HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK-Kh6im9F0

 

The seventh and final part of the evening's Selectmen's Meeting shows Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker Deborah Dorey Wilson asking the Board exactly HOW Jen Griffin, (a Patch family friend), was hired by the Board to the Transfer Station, as there had never been an announcement that she had been hired. There seems to be some confusion as to when she was added to the Department with Selectman Thompson stating that he had "no choice" but saying that she was added as the 2nd hire to the Transfer Station 2 days after Mr. Nault had been hired. That was later amended to 3 days, with the Board not sure of her hire date as the Minutes for those June and July meetings have still not been provided by Selectman Heath.

Wilson also asks about the Town Ethics Policy, as the Board had said they were going to discuss that further on the Monday after Selectman Heath returned from Assessing School (which would have been Monday, August 10, 2015). Selectman Thompson states that he's working 40 hours a week and that it's not his job. However, if he's getting paid to perform a job, it IS his job. When Wilson asks if she has the discussion of the Town Ethics Policy placed on the Agenda, would the Selectmen consider discussing it, Selectman Thompson cautions her that even on the Agenda, the current Board may not give the answer she's searching for.

Wilson questions Selectman Heath whether he will be willing to discuss the Ethics Policy, and has to ask 4 times prior to Heath gracing her with his answer, but he finally agrees to discuss it.

When asked the same question, Selectman Nadeau informs Wilson that she can not put something on the agenda and tells her to "Let us run our own meeting." But Wilson adds that as a taxpayer of this town, she sure CAN put something on the agenda, and Nadeau says if it's on the agenda he will discuss it.

The conversation is ended with the arrival of the 7 pm agenda appointment, Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief, Daniel Meehan. The Hog Wild Festival inspection is discussed with Meehan stating they were a no-show to their appointment for inspection, however he has sent an e mail and Meehan is planning to go on Friday at 2 pm as the vendors are setting up for the Saturday event.

Meehan presents the Board with his updated plans for paying part time, on call, and stipend payments for his 2 departments, presents a purchase order for the repair of the Zoll Heart Monitor, with Selectman Heath questioning if this is a "necessary expense."

Chief Meehan states that in July, the Rescue answered 36 calls, Fire Department answered 22 calls. The Combined Departments answered 5 calls for Mutual Aid and attended 6 car accidents.

At this time, due to the Closure of Hubbard Road in Berwick, the Lebanon Fire and EMS is covering our town's side of Berwick as well.

There is a discussion regarding the remaking of the Fire and EMS Department's signs, and the possibility of combining the work order to include the Town Office sign. Discussion includes Public Participation with both Deborah Dorey Wilson and Sandy Adams asking questions about a Department Chaplain or Counselor and about the Board's recent discussion about the Department purchasing pizza after a large Fire event.

Selectman Thompson reads a motion for the Board's review requesting the Budget Committee to convene to discuss the proposed November ballot question which will possibility allow for the knocking out the wall that currently divides the Selectman's Meeting Room and the Code Enforcement Officer's office in order to create a larger space for Selectmen's Meetings.

Selectman Nadeau has his hand in the air and ready to adjourn the meeting while Thompson is still reading. Meeting is adjourned by Nadeau at 7:26 pm, 2nd by Selectman Heath.

 

SEE Part 7, the final part, of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting of 8/13/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOT8_m7GTUw

 

 

RESIDENTS QUESTION: What Happens to a Patient Revived with NARCAN After a Heroin Overdose?

Questions asked by a Lebanon resident today led to a fact finding mission and some very serious questions regarding heroin use in our area.
Now that NARCAN is on the market and available to reverse the effects of heroin overdose, just what does happen to the person who has overdosed once they are revived?
Are they transported to the hospital?
Are they arrested and tried for heroin use?
What is the next step after revival?
The answers may be interesting, scary, or hopefully of use to people who would like to have a voice or speak to their Representatives, Senators or United States Legislators.
My first phone call was to Frisbie Hospital's EMS Director Gary Brock. Since it was after 5 pm on a Wednesday evening, he was not available, but I left my name and phone number on his voice mail and hopefully he will call me back and I can update the information.
I then called Southern Maine Medical Center in Sanford (the former Goodall Hospital). The emergency room staff said they could try and answer my question, but when I asked them just what happens to patients treated with NARCAN, they said they were getting busy and advised me to call Biddeford on Thursday and speak to hospital administration.
I then called York Hospital and posed the same question to Sean in Customer Relations. His answer? "We can not answer that question Ma'am, have a nice day. I suggest you call your local EMS Department." and he hung up the phone.

Now wait just a minute!!
I was not rude. I gave each of these people my name and told them why I was calling.
But okay.
I called Lebanon Fire and EMS Department Chief Daniel Meehan. According to Chief Meehan, he has attended one overdose and revived with NARCAN in Lebanon since his arrival as Chief at the beginning of the year. He had me on speaker phone and was sitting with two other responders, one of whom (and I won't use their name without permission) said that he had attended three in Lebanon so far this year.
I asked the Chief my question about what happens to the patient after they are revived, and I was a little surprised at the answer. According to the Chief, the NARCAN is administered, the person wakes up from their stupor after 20-40 minutes, and at that point, the EMS personnel on duty TRY to talk them into going to the hospital to be monitored.
When I say TRY, it's because there is no way to force anyone to take an ambulance ride to the hospital for a heroin overdose.
According to Meehan, State Police also respond to calls for heroin overdoses in Lebanon, and once the person is revived and stable, if they refuse to go to the hospital, they are asked to sign off, and EMS leaves them in the hands of Law Enforcement.
"NARCAN isn't a permanent thing," said Meehan, "It's a quick fix, and the person can relapse. But it's completely a law enforcement issue once they're conscious and alert."
The next step in my quest for answers seemed logical enough. Call the State Police and find out what THEY do with the heroin users once they have been brought back with NARCAN and have refused the ambulance ride to the hospital for treatment.
I called the Alfred State Police Barracks who would cover Lebanon for such a case and asked to speak with Sgt. Shapiro, who is the officer in charge of overseeing crime in Lebanon. It was 5:53 pm and the young man who answered told me that Sgt. Shapiro was unavailable at the time. Thinking he might help me, I told him who I was and why I would like to know the answers.
According to the man on the other end of the phone, Maine has no set policy on how to deal with a heroin overdosed patient who is refusing hospital treatment. "It depends on who the officer is that's handling the case and what the circumstances are," he said.
I asked if it were still against the law to use heroin and he asked again who I was and why I was asking. And I answered.
The young man stated that Maine State Law gives no set policy that tells what is supposed to happen, or any set procedure on what a Trooper is supposed to do once a patient is revived with a heroin overdose.
I thanked him for his time and asked him for his name, at which time he said, "Why do you want to know?"
I told him that I was giving this information out to people in the town of Lebanon, Maine and I wanted to be able to state who had given me the information.
He answered, "I don't need to give you my name, have a nice day," and for the second time in less than an hour, I was hung up on.

I did do a little bit of internet investigation, and I haven't found anything in Maine Law that speaks specifically to a heroin overdose. While it is a crime to possess the drug, it's questionable to the policy or procedure of what to do with a patient who has possessed the drug, but who no longer has the drug, after ingesting or taking it intravenously.
I did find a reporter with WLTW in Cincinatti, Ohio who was doing research on this very issue and after over 1,000 hours of investigation and research, was no closer to the answer that I am after a couple of hours.
Perhaps the laws defining the use of heroin or other substances needs to be a bit more clear.
Many of the people suffering from heroin overdoses do not have insurance, or adequate insurance to cover an ambulance ride to the local ER, or to pay for the ER visit at the local hospital. So who winds up paying the bill for the EMS crew, and the administration of NARCAN? I'm assuming it's us, the taxpayer. Although I can't seem to get a definitive answer on that yet.
Many of the people treated with NARCAN have overdosed several times and their addresses are known to EMS officials and law enforcement departments. However, there seems to be either a limit on what law enforcement can do, or the need for some type of new policy, procedure or law defining what happens to the overdose victim.
Please rest assured that I will continue my search for answers to this question on Thursday, hopefully following up with Mr. Brock at Frisbie Hospital EMS, and perhaps getting a telephone call back from Sgt. Shapiro with the Maine State Police.
Stay tuned!!!

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers Announces Fundraiser for Replacing Blaisdell Corner Rescue Station Flagpole.

As we have all heard, the telescoping flagpole at the Blaisdell Corner Rescue Station, is broken and needs to be replaced.
Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers, with permission from Lebanon Selectmen, are looking for your help in fixing that situation.
We are asking for the people of Lebanon to make a contribution to the EMS FLAGPOLE FUNDRAISER kicking off today, July23, 2015.
Included on this page is the estimate from Yankee Flagpole in the amount of $841.32. This estimate is for a 25 foot high fiberglass flagpole with a simple gold ball on the top. (as agreed with Lebanon Fire and Rescue Chief Daniel Meehan is his choice). As you can see, this estimate includes all installation costs, as well as an American Flag, POW MIA Flag, and EMS Flag. The estimate also includes the cost of shipping to the Blaisdell Corner Rescue Building.
We chose Yankee as they have a long history of providing quality flag poles to New England area municipalities, AND because their flag poles are all made in nearby New Hampshire. 100% American Made.
It is our goal to have that amount in time to plan on a Labor Day Weekend Gathering at the Blaisdell Corner Station to celebrate the first raising of the flag on the new fiberglass 25 foot tall flagpole.
All donators will receive a receipt for their contributions and each will be mentioned on Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers Facebook Page. You may also choose to make an Anonymous donation or donate in memory or honor of another person.
A running total of all donations will be kept on the Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers Facebook page.
Please PM Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers or E mail us at lebanontruthseekers@Hotmail.com for more information.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this very important matter.
Sandy Adams and Deborah Dorey Wilson
the Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers.

Attached please find a copy of the Estimate in the amount of $841.32 from Yankee Flagpole.

To learn more about Yankee Flagpole, Feel free to visit their website HERE:
http://www.yankeeflagpoles.com/

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers to Raise Funds for NEW FLAG POLE at the Rt. 202 Rescue Building.

Some Public Information and an invitation to HELP.........

HELP us put an end to FLAG-GATE in Lebanon

As we all know, there were 4 Marines and a Navy Sailor killed in Tennessee recently.
Our Rescue Station on Route 202 is the ONLY Town building that is located on Rt. 202, the major road through town that we all travel on a daily basis, and the one that we all see, as well as every visitor or passer by through our town.
Over the weekend, I had some time to talk to Windy Rudnicki asking HOW we could best get the American Flag at the Rescue Station to even give the APPEARANCE of flying at half staff.
I haven't been by there today, so I don't know yet if they've figured it out, BUT this is just a reminder that the flag pole is BROKEN.
The flagpole at the Rt. 202 Rescue station is BROKEN. The telescoping pieces are not performing correctly and therefore CAN NOT be maneuvered correctly to bring the flag to half staff.
With the station getting a new paint job soon, I'm HOPING we can all help!!!
Sandy has spoken to a man at Yankee Flagpole and he's sending us an estimate later in the day today.
Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers is going to be putting together a fundraising effort to REPLACE that BROKEN FLAG POLE at the Fire and EMS Rescue Building on Rt 202 in Lebanon.
We want to get a price first, and then as each donation and offer for help comes in, we'll be listing the amounts HERE on our page until we reach our goal of giving our Fire and EMS Rescue building a flag pole that we can be PROUD of here in town!!!

The TRUTH About Early Morning EMS Calls on July 10th, 2015.

GOOD MORNING LEBANON TRUTH SEEKERS.......
Sometimes I feel like telling the truth about things in this town is like stepping into a battleground.
There is so much misinformation to wade through JUST to set things straight.
While you and I slept this morning, your Lebanon EMS team were hard at work.
The first call came in at 4:07 am, for a complaint of "Difficulty Breathing", and our EMTs Sara and Donna were RIGHT on with their response.
While the department was not scheduled to begin paid staffing until 6 am, both EMTs were scheduled to cover the overnight shift from home.
Sara responded to the scene directly from her home, while Donna went to the station and retrieved Ambulance 2, meeting Sara on scene.
There was a decision made for a paramedic intercept call put in to Frisbie Hospital. Because of the sensitivity of patient information, and HIPAA laws, we are not privy as to why that call was made, and to be honest, it's really none of our business.
This was a long time-call. Sometimes things at a scene are not handled in the slam-bam-throw 'em-in-the-rig style of EMS Service that "other" pages seem to be asking for. Patient care is crucial and is being considered first and foremost by our Fire and EMS Department.
Because I was not on the scene, I am not going to question what the team was doing there, or how long they spent doing it. I only know they were there when a Lebanon resident needed help, and after assessing the situation, they decided they needed some help from higher level medical professional, and they called for Frisbie Paramdics to attend.
As for how long it took to get that patient to the hospital. I wasn't aware there was a timeline in moving an injured patient. The patient must be stabilized, and with a call for "Difficulty Breathing" it could be anything from congestion due to cold, to asthma attack, to congestive heart failure to cardiac arrest that could result in severe medical circumstances if you just throw the patient over your shoulder cave-man style and toss them onto an ambulance stretcher.
Since the 15 anonymous volunteers from the "Command Central" page can only listen to the scanner, the same as you or I can, I can't possibly imagine how they would second guess the medical decisions made for the benefit of any patient by an EMT or Paramedic on the scene.
The second call, blasted on the internet by our 15 anonymous esteemed colleagues, states that no one answered the call for Lebanon, and that 13 minutes prior to a paid staffing shift, the call went unanswered and was referred to Sanford for Mutual Aid.
Sara and Donna were already out with Ambulance 2,  on the earlier "Difficulty Breathing" call that was apparently quite involved, and wound up requiring transport to Frisbie Hospital with paramedic intercept.
The second call came in at 5:41. That is actually 19 minutes prior to a scheduled staffed shift, not 13 as reported. It's simple math, actually, done at basic first grade level subtraction. Natasha, who is an Advanced Level EMT, and a trained Emergency Response Driver were on their way to the station to begin their scheduled shift.
Sanford toned once for the Lebanon EMS, however, due to a miscommunication, Sandford Central Dispatch still believed that Ambulance 1 was "out of service" and therefore, knowing that Sara and Donna were still out with Ambulance 2 on their earlier call, Central Dispatch toned Sanford Rescue only shortly after the first tone for the "Hip Pain" call, and Sanford Ambulance, responded to the Mutual Aid call in the way that Mutual Aid responses are supposed to happen. GREAT job by Sanford, by the way! Thanks to them for GREAT Mutual Aid coverage!!
Lebanon residents, for the 15 anonymous volunteers who run the "Command Central" page to listen to a scanner and try to second guess the professionals who are at the scene of an injury, accident or illness is just insanity.
I would respectfully submit this answer to the 4 people who messaged my phone this morning to tell me what Command Central was posting and asking why things were happening the way they were at the scene.
LET THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE CREWS AND CHIEF MEEHAN DO THEIR JOBS.
While the Command Central page feels the need to monitor each and every call that comes across the scanner, they are NOT EMS personnel. No matter what happens, they like to pretend that they are on the scene and can see what is happening. Of course, what is happening there on the scene is never being handled correctly, according to them. They are not there. They do not know. They have no idea what is happening or what the patient's particular issues are.
In my conversation with the Chief and EMS professionals this morning, I'm now aware that there have been over 30 calls to EMS in the 10 days that they have been on staffing calls. I would like to call your attention to the fact that "Command Central" is only highlighting those calls that they feel they can pick apart, even when they have no privileged information to do so.
I would also like to call attention to the fact that none of the patients ever respond that they have had a negative experience with the response or care they have received from the Lebanon EMS professionals.
There certainly are times when the combined department of FIRE and EMS staffs the station with an EMT and a trained driver through the FIRE personnel. However, you can rest assured that even your drivers are CPR and First Responder certified.
There certainly are times when it takes longer than average response times to assess a patient, give them emergency treatment, and get them moved to a hospital. And there are times when circumstances call for more careful treatment of a patient due to issues you or I or or the 15 anonymous EMS stalkers have privileged patient information that we have no access to.
Your Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief, Dan Meehan is working to your best advantage, as are each and every one of the Lebanon Fire and Rescue employees and volunteers. If they are called to your home for an emergency, you will be their first priority. If another call comes in that sounds like it could be more exciting, they will not leave you to attend the second call. That is what Mutual Aid is for, and our Mutual Aid communities have Lebanon's back on all Mutual Aid calls.
I would ask today, that if you see "Command Central" making claims of inadequacy during a Rescue call, that you not immediately message my phone asking if the claims of the 15 anonymous volunteers are TRUE, but that you instead, comment on THAT page and ask them if they are on scene, if they know the medical circumstances of the call, if they are being given inside information that points to inadequacy of our EMTs or professionally trained department members, because I respectfully submit to you that they have no way to know what is happening on scene in the realm of individual patient care and treatment, and neither do we.
While some former Lebanon Rescue staff lived for the adrenaline of screaming down Lebanon's roadways, 90 miles per hour, lights and sirens blaring, and taking a moment or two to snap selfies, smiling for the world to see, it's not true of all EMS professionals. Most are far more concerned with patient care and privacy than in being featured on the front page of the newspapers each day.
To question each and every call, to try and figure out what happened in the privacy of someone's home while they are having a medical emergency, to second guess the decisions of EMS or Fire personnel who are trained to care for patients on an emergency basis....... well, it's exhausting, when every complaint by Command Central is only a cry of "Wolf" and each call is actually handled in the most professional manner possible.
These condemnations by the Command Central page are only an attempt to turn you away from being thankful and supportive for all that our Fire and EMS services do for our town.
Enjoy your Saturday, Lebanon residents.
Lebanon Fire and EMS Department is on duty and ready to respond.

Combining Departments and Staffing Schedules Going Well at Lebanon Fire and EMS Department.

Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief, Daniel Meehan

Photo Courtesy of Lebanon Fire and EMS

 

Lebanon Truth Seekers had an opportunity to speak with Lebanon Fire and Rescue Department Chief Dan Meehan this morning regarding his work at combining the Lebanon Fire Department with the Lebanon Rescue Department.

Meehan says the combining of the two departments is "going well", and that morale is up and that he is pleased with the attendance at  recent training classes.

Voters in the Town of Lebanon had their voice on June 9th when they voted in the town's election to combine both departments under the leadership of Meehan, a career firefighter with the City of Rochester, NH. The referendum question, number 12 on the ballot, specifically states that the town was voting "...to create a combined Municipal EMS Medical Service and Municipal Fire Department, effectively combining the proposed Fire and Rescue budgets into one budget."

The budgetary referendums, numbers 9, 10 and 11, give the newly combined departments a total of $451,353.00 for the upcoming fiscal year with a $50,000.00 account toward equipment purchases.

At this time, the EMS staffing is in full operation with 2 paid EMTs staffing for ambulance calls at the Depot Road Fire Station location. Meehan says "The most important thing for us to do right now is to make sure the ambulance is covered for calls," adding that he has plans for looking at the money numbers and that his goal is for 2 staffed EMS members and 1 Firefighter over time.

Today, our Lebanon EMS is staffed at the Fire Station location from 6 am until 10 pm, with hours between 10 pm and 6 am being scheduled for coverage from the staffers' homes. All Lebanon Fire personnel are still staffing from home.

Meehan went on to say that he has been spending time going over records of the call volumes of the past few years, noticing that the Fire Department averages 1 call every 2 weeks while the EMS Department has been responding to 1 or more calls on a daily basis, thus his decision to focus first on getting EMS up and running correctly and then turning his attention to the Fire Department.

Lebanon Truth Seekers asked Chief Meehan if an ambulance driver could also drive a Fire Truck, and the answer was different than what we expected. While Ambulance and Fire Truck drivers are both specialty licenses, the Fire Truck drivers are required to have a "Pumps Class" before they can jump in an apparatus and go screaming off to a scene. "What good is knowing how to drive it, if you can't hook it up and apply water to a fire?" Meehan had said on a separate interview earlier in the month. The Lebanon Truth Seekers also recalls an earlier interview with Firefighter Andy Noyes, in which he disclosed that when an engine arrives on an active fire scene, in the absence of the Chief, or Assistant Chief, the Fire Truck Driver is in command of that scene, as they are the ones that know the truck's capabilities, the proper distance to keep away from the burn, and the proper pressure to maintain in the truck's pumping system. So, according to that interview, it would be important for a Fire Truck Driver to have the additional "Pumps Class".

While the Department's goal is the cross training of all members, that hasn't happened yet, although a "Pumps Class" is in the works for sometime in the near future as there are several young Firefighters who have recently completed driver training, but are still in need of the "Pumps Class" in order to take the equipment to an active fire. "We have to take baby steps", stated Meehan. "This won't happen all at once."

In fact, the Chief inherited quite a few problems when he agreed to take over as Chief of both the Rescue and Fire Departments. The Fire Department was in decent shape financially in maintaining the status quo, but didn't have enough money in the coffers to provide for training or new equipment purchases. The Rescue Department, on the other hand, was operating in a hand-to-mouth fashion, only surviving on their receivables since the town had a tough pill to swallow when they realized in 2013 that the department, which town voters had moved to separate from the town's budget and allow to be fiscally responsible only to itself, was financially insolvent and borrowing money from other town accounts at an alarming rate.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), a part of the Federal Department of Labor, was getting ready to level some very hefty fines on the Department for violations they had identified and ordered to be taken care of well over a year ago, and Meehan, as the new Chief, was given only a matter of weeks to bring all into compliance.

Ambulance 1, the town's aging ambulance, had mechanical issues, which again, had been identified to the former Chief, but they had neglected to care for it, and now, after over a year of being unsound, the vehicle has been repaired properly and is back in service.

Mutual Aid relationships with other towns, which had been at an all time low, with many neighboring town's departments beginning to charge Lebanon for their assistance, are being repaired, one day, one event, one meeting at a time, and the Chief reports a good working relationship with all the area Mutual Aid towns, with Sanford agreeing to no longer charge the $2,000 charge for responding to Lebanon emergencies.

Although the Chief's position is a part time position scheduled for about 20 hours per week, Meehan spends between 40 and 50 hours per week still trying to get things together after years of neglect and mismanagement, but he has no complaints, figuring it will get easier for him over time as schedules and responsibilities are worked out and people begin to work with the new ways of doing things.

"Things are working out well," said Meehan of his newly combined department. "As of July 1st the ambulance has been covered 24 hours a day with dedicated members who have stepped up to make sure the town is covered."

Also we have to remember that there are several people who are active in the Frisbie Hospital EMT training course who have committed to at least 18 months worth of service to the Town of Lebanon after being given a grant through Frisbie EMS for their training, which will increase the available members for staffing, once their requirements and State testing are completed.

So, things take time. Complete changes in budget, management, staffing, coverage, equipment, training, and responsibility don't happen overnight, but you can be sure that the Chief and his Lebanon Responders are on top of things and working together as one single, combined department to make things happen in Lebanon.

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Meehan and EMT Rudnicki Stop For Lunch at Hanson School Summer Meals Program.

 

Today Chief Daniel Meehan and Lebanon EMT / Firefighter Windy Rudnicki dropped in for lunch at the Hanson School. Summer Camp Students at the school were happy and surprised when the Chief and EMT sat down to lunch with them, sharing turkey and cheese sandwiches on whole wheat rolls (although the Chief asked for the PB&J Uncrustables but Miss Penny advised him they were all out).

Chief Dan spoke to a table full of boys about such things as fire trucks, hoses and ladders.

 

 

EMT Windy spoke the group of children she sat with about what to do if there should ever be a fire, and how to

STOP, DROP and ROLL

should their clothing ever be on fire.

 

 

All of the children were very receptive to the Chief and firefighter as they enjoyed chatting and eating together. All Lebanon residents are invited to enjoy the School Meals Program. You never know WHO is going to drop by!!

 

The MSAD60

Summer School Meals Program 

is open to all residents of the town of Lebanon.

Breakfast is served from 8:00 am - 8:30 am

and is $2.50 for adults and children under 18 eat FREE.

Wednesday's Breakfast menu includes

Cold Cereal,

Chilled Peaches,

Toasted Bagels & Toppings, and Hard Boiled Eggs.

Lunch is served from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm,

$4.50 for adults and children under 18 eat FREE.

Wednesday's Lunch includes

Chicken Patty on whole wheat roll, Crisp tossed salad,

 and Chilled Pineapple Chunks.

Choice of milk with all meals.

 

***NOTE*** No photos were taken of any children without first obtaining permission from the Hanson School Office.

First Rescue Calls of Lebanon's Fiscal Year 2015-16 Come Back to Back with Phenomenal Response.

 

With taxpayers voting to combine Fire and Rescue services into one department, and Chief Daniel Meehan working with agencies from Sanford, Maine and Frisbie Hospital EMS, the first calls of the fiscal year 2015-16, and the newly staffed Lebanon Fire and Rescue Department, came in back to back this morning. Call 1 answered by Lebanon's Rescue 2 with a Frisbie EMS Paramedic intercept. Call 2 only moments later answered by Sanford EMS on a Mutual Aid call.

Taking first shift for Lebanon's newly combined Department, EMT/Firefighter Windy Rudnicki and EMT Sara Christiansen had the patient out of the home and in the ambulance just as Frisbie EMS came racing down Bigelow Road.

It feels wonderful listening to this playing out on the scanner and hearing not only our newly staffed department, but our Mutual Aid Responders all working together like a well oiled machine.

We hope to hear more good news regarding response times, Mutual Aid agreements, and more......

Keep up the GREAT work Chief Meehan and Lebanon Fire and Rescue!!!

 

 

A Message From Your Lebanon Fire and Rescue Department.... WE ARE ONE!

July 1, 2015
Starting July 1'st 2015, Lebanon Fire and Lebanon Rescue will no longer run as two separate entities within the town of Lebanon. Voters in the town, passed a ballot measure on June 9'th 2015, to consolidate the two agencies into one by a vote of 548 to 214 .
In addition to offering combined Fire and EMS services the town is also offering per diem EMS work. Crews will be on hand to staff the town's ambulance 16 hours a day, at the Fire Station, which is located at the corner of Depot and Upper Cross Roads. The shifts will run from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM until 10:00 PM 5 days a week, with responders covering from home after 10:00 PM. Weekend per diem shifts will cover, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the station and from home after that.
Anyone interested in working for the town's Fire & EMS services should call (207)457-3922.

 

 

Lebanon's Select Board Meeting Holds Some Surprises and Ends in a TKO of Taxpayer Dollars.

Don't ever let it be said that small town Selectmen's Meetings aren't worth attending. While the majority of the meetings are laid back and a lot of work gets done for the betterment of the Town, there are some days that just ALL goes right out the window.

Reminder, to see any attached photo or document in a larger format, just click on the item and it will open up larger for you!!

June 25, 2015, Lebanon Maine Town Office, 4:00 pm.

The video tape of the meeting is in 6 parts to break it down for ease in viewing the parts you want to see.

Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson opens the meeting and proceeds to the first item of the night. It seems Thompson thinks an Ethics Policy would be a good thing to have. It's something a previous Board had worked on, and Ben thought it would be appropriate to finish the project and have all Town employees sign it and for the Town to keep this signed copy in personnel files. Not much discussion is had on the Ethics Policy, but all three members agreed to take the information home, look at it, and visit the issue again on Monday, June 29th.

Speaking as a concerned West Lebanon resident, The Lebanon Voice Editor, Harrison Thorp engaged the Board in a discussion regarding speeding up the process of providing "Automatic Mutual Aid" for the areas of West Lebanon closest to the Milton, NH border. He explains to the Board how each call to a West Lebanon address would be sent through multiple dispatch zones to finally reach, and dispatch Milton's EMTs automatically.
"Nick says HE's ready", stated Thorp, leaving one to believe that it is our own Lebanon Fire and Rescue Chief who's holding this agreement hostage.
Selectman Thompson said that he was confident that Chief Daniel Meehan had been working on this project with Milton, NH Fire and Rescue Chief Nick Manique and that there had been quite a bit of discussion as to how that would work, and at what level of call Milton would be dispatched automatically. Since Milton NH also works on a non-paramedic level, all of the paramedic intercept calls would still require support from Sanford or Frisbie and that Milton NH calls require the same level of support, so whether the call would come through Milton or through Lebanon dispatch, the paramedic calls would still be coming out of neighboring towns.
When pressured individually by Thorp, Selectman Royce Heath seemed to think we should let the two Chiefs do their jobs and work things out, and Selectman Nadeau was in agreement with Heath's way of thinking.
The room grew quiet as Selectmen went to work on a series of Purchase Orders.
Thorp left the room with Lebanon Truth Seeker, Sandy Adams for a private conversation in another room.

SEE Part 1 of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting of 6/25/15 HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCVNTSSJxVc

In the second part of our video, Lebanon School Summer Camp Director, Shirley Mathews arrived to go over some of the final plans for the Summer Camp that is starting up soon. More questions were answered for Mathews on the use of the Purchase Order system and how to utilize it. Mathews also spoke about a 2% raise this year for herself and her Camp Counselors, saying that she had spoken about this to the former Board at an earlier meeting. Thompson looked through several pages of old Meeting minutes and couldn't find any discussion regarding that issue and asked Jeanette Lemay to look into finding that discussion.
Thompson leaves the room to go to the Code Enforcement Officer's room to see if departed Former Selectman Paul Philbrick remembers the conversation.

SEE Part 2 of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting of 6/25/15 HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9r6TKYNzvo

As part 3 of the meeting begins, the conversation continues about the discussion for a 2% raise for Summer Camp Director Shirley Mathews workers.
Select Board Chairman Thompson asks about different options for funding Mathews' needs, and while Treasurer Jeanette Lemay was in the room, Thompson asked her again about the long awaited "Procurement Cards" from the bank, to which the Town Treasurer, Lemay, stated that she'd been in touch with the bank and they keep saying "They're in Process".

SEE Part 3 of the Lebanon Maine Selectman's Meeting of 6/25/15 HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STeyJrYs0wE

Kurt and Brenda Zeller of Lebanon's 4X4 Proving Ground are on the Agenda as we begin part 4 of the video. The pair has been working with Clear Choice Events (no address or phone number given on their proposal) in creating a Country Music Festival that they are intending to hold at their facility on the Saturday before The Lebanon Festival, August 15, 2015.
The estimated amount of people is about 1500, so the couple realizes they need a Mass Gathering Permit in order to go forward.
Mr. Zeller says they have their Primitive Camping permit in hand from the State of Maine and that if folks have been drinking all day he'd rather have them stay and camp right there on his property.
There was some talk of other events in the making for later on in the year, including the possibility of the Proving Ground being the home for a Tough Mudder event and their desire to create a charity event to benefit Lebanon's newly combined Fire and Rescue Department.
When questioned as to why the couple chose the weekend before the Lebanon Festival, the couple explained they didn't think it would hurt Lebanon's town festival as they generally pull people from a different demographic group.
The Country Music Festival is also planning several old fashioned games such as a hot dog eating contest, a "horse shoe" toss using toilet seats, log sawing competition, and a lawn mower racing event.
After a brief discussion, Chairman Thompson sends the pair off in search of the Code Enforcement Officer, saying "Have Fun!" as they departed.

SEE Part 4 of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting HERE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ucKm3g5yY

Part 5 of tonight's video opens with a question for Selectman Paul Nadeau. Resident and Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker, Deborah Dorey Wilson, went to the Lebanon Transfer Station on Saturday 6/20/15 to see Mr. Nadeau and wish him well on his last day before his resignation took place, but found that he was not there. Later, it was stated on the pages of the Lebanon Community News that Mr. Nadeau, along with Transfer Station Manager and fellow Selectman Royce Heath had been at the Memorial Celebration of the late Road Commissioner, Larry Torno. Checking the time cards for that day, they show that Mr. Nadeau and Mr. Patch had never signed out from the Transfer Station, and had both been paid for working hours while they were, in fact, at the Memorial Celebration for Mr. Torno.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Nadeau counters with the fact that he came in early that day, 6:30 am, and that he had been coming in early every day for quite some time, and stated that it was the first time since 1997 that he had ever left for anything. And then adding, "To be truthful with you.... I just forgot".
Selectman Heath just got angry, accusing Wilson of making Mr. Torno's Memorial into a "circus" but he is corrected by Wilson and fellow Truth Seeker Sandy Adams that this was not even about Torno's Service or who attended, but that it was about accountability and charging the Town for hours worked when the pair of Nadeau and Patch were not even there. (Heath was not scheduled to work on 6/20/25).
Once that issue is put to rest, just asking Nadeau to be honest in his position with the Town, Truth Seeker Deborah Wilson asks if the Town's business is over with for the evening and WATCH as Royce Heath tells her that, in fact, it IS OVER.
The pair of women turn off the video recorder and head out the door, leaving the trio of Selectmen to finish up on payroll checks and purchase orders.

SEE Part 5 of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZuzEQdKjbU

As Wilson and Adams were getting into their vehicle in the Town Office Parking lot, Selectman Royce Heath exited the building. That he was angry was easy to see, and he instructed Deborah Wilson that he had been mistaken in his word that there were no more items of importance on the Selectmen's Agenda for the evening. Heath stated there was, actually, one more item. Ms. Adams stayed in the car in the parking lot while Wilson entered the Town Office with the video camera.
***It was later told to me by two separate people who were in the Town Office at the time of my departure, that as I was getting into the vehicle, they heard Thompson raising his voice and saying, "You just lied to the public AND on camera! You need to get out there and get those women back in here!" At which point, Heath came out after me asking me to return.***
After only a brief moment, Selectman Royce Heath pulled out a torn yellow slip of paper and read from it. WATCH as Heath motions to take the $28,000. that had been earmarked as a savings for the Town of Lebanon and motions to place it into the Road Department budget. Before Heath has the entire motion out of his mouth, Selectman Nadeau seconds the motion and the vote is taken with Heath and Nadeau both voting to approve the motion and Thompson never even having the chance to make a statement or ask a question. No discussion. No reason. No idea what the money will be used for.
Watch as an obviously angry Selectman Thompson reminds the Dynamic Duo that budgeted money is not ACTUAL money and their hasty decision could leave the town, who had a very good chance of making it to the next tax appropriation date, lacking in cash flow and needing to take a TAN line of credit loan. It doesn't matter to Heath and Nadeau who stand firm in their decision, and yet deny every having any conversation about this prior to the TKO of Thompson only moments before. Thompson is almost pleading with the pair as he takes time to explain to Nadeau what he has just done. But Nadeau, making no sense in his answers to Thompson's queries, stands firm as Heath looks on.
Wilson asks what Torno is going to do with this $28,000 windfall gift from the two Selectmen, to which Heath, grinning from ear to ear, says he's going to "leave that up to Tommy".
Heath also adds that if Torno doesn't have the use of this money outlined to the Board prior to June 30th, the money would revert back into the General Fund of the Town, but we've got a pretty good idea that money's all planned out, and was not shy about saying so.
So, round 2 of the surprise TKO motions is in play, with all 3 Selectmen agreeing to invite Road Commissioner Tom Torno to Monday, June 29 meeting to hear where the money will be spent.

Meeting was adjourned on the SPEED MOTION so that we could be SURE there were no more roundhouse punches awaiting Selectman Ben Thompson.

WATCH TKO ROUND 2... SURPRISE MOTION costing Lebanon Taxpayers $28,000. in the Lebanon Selectman's Meeting 6/25/15 HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzdCAMSkV_c

All we can say at this point is WOW.
We're hoping the Lebanon Budget Committee is watching so that you can get a handle on this wild and crazy gift-giving before our TAN line of credit is out of control!!!
We were on track to not have to borrow any money this year, but now you can BET that a TAN loan is in our near future.

Chief Dan Meehan Posts Some Exciting News For Lebanon in His 6 Month In Review

6 months in review
Fire and Rescue Chief Daniel Meehan
June 12, 2015


Right after being sworn in as the new Lebanon Fire Chief in January 2015 I was asked if I wanted to also take over as the Rescue Chief. I agreed as one of my goals was to merge the two departments together in the future.
As I hit the ground running I learned that there were 8 OSHA violations on the Rescue side that were reported back in February of 2014 and little if anything was done to correct them. Because they had gone for so long OSHA would provide no extensions and I had 30 days to correct the violations or there would be a hefty fine costing thousands. The violations were completed with help of some dedicated members within the 30 days and instead of fines in the thousands, the fine was less than one hundred dollars. 
Since January the Rescue has responded to about 146 calls some having multiple patients or multiple calls back to back. Just in the month of May, there were 33 calls.
By February I started posting a monthly calendar within Rescue where members could sign up for shift coverage. This was important because for the first time, it took the guess work and confusion out of exactly who would take the call. No more, the tone going off an every responder assuming someone else would take the call. It was the beginning of accountability.
By signing up for coverage the volunteer could cover calls by responding from home or one of the stations, being paid $5 for signing up and $4.35 per each call. A few members took advantage of this and have stepped up to make sure calls were covered. But not every day or every hour is covered. This was only a start until we had the chance to go to the voters to pass a new budget that would allow volunteers to start covering shifts part time, and better our coverage and response times.
The Rescue Department had 2 ambulances, both housed in the Blasdell Station on Rt 202.  I decided for better coverage to all areas of town, to move one ambulance to the Fire Station, this way volunteers covering shifts could respond to the station closer to their homes
Now it has been 6 months since I took office. On June 12, 2015  I met with the Sanford Fire and Rescue folks to talk about the $2000 billing they were charging because in the past, our ambulance was not attending to all our town's calls and Sanford was responding in our place. Sanford had also said that they would no longer be able to provide mutual aid to Lebanon at one point. Sanford is now back to providing mutual aid, but they were still charging that $2000 if they would have to be the sole ambulance responding to calls in Lebanon. 
I now have something to work with in explaining to other departments. Our budgets have passed and I am now working on the plans to put  part time shifts which will make sure the Lebanon Rescue Department is always staffed. The Sanford agencies are happy with the amount of  progress being made in Lebanon since I became Chief. They have, at this time, agreed to stop charging the $2000 fee should they need to be the sole responder on a Lebanon Emergency call. There have been a few charges of $2,000 in the past, but they are also working on having those bills cleared from their books.

Please see this note from the City of Sanford Fire Department.

6/12/2015
Chief-
Thank you for meeting with Chief Cutter and me today It was a very productive session.  First let me reiterate that the City of Sanford Fire Department has agreed to stop charging your town an “Initial Response Fee” due solely because of your great work on this matter.  We have watched great things happening in Lebanon because of your leadership, stability, and courage to take the appropriate actions to fix problems.  We look forward to strengthening our relationships more as time goes on so our communities may yield the benefits of a strong Fire/EMS system in this area.  It is good to hear that the people of the town are supporting your efforts.  Thank you again for your work in this matter and if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call me. 
Steven R. Benotti Fire Chief
City of Sanford Fire Department

I have also reached out to Frisbie Memorial Hospital to begin building a stronger partnership with them. During negotiations with the education director, an agreement was reached which would give the Rescue department an educational grant in order to help build our staff of medical professionals. We have several students studying to become EMTs at Frisbee Hospital at the time of this writing.
Frisbee Hospital's EMT grant, was a great benefit to the Department and to our town. A typical Basic EMT course normally runs about $900 or more per person, and would have to be paid by the individual volunteer. This grant has allowed more people to be trained in EMT work so that they may become volunteers for our Rescue Department.
With the progress that has been made with the Rescue billing company Comstar, I visited the company in May along with Selectmen Ben Thompson to talk about the billing process and about dropping the rate for billing.  The company who has seen much improvement in the Rescue Department agreed to lower the rate by a whole point. Then after review of the new contract Selectmen Thompson had the rate lowered again by a quarter point. This is a very large boost for the people of Lebanon.
Work is continuing on both Fire and Rescue sides of our newly combined department to update policies, gear and equipment.