Brief History of the Presque Isle Fire Dept. by Peter O. Coffin (retired Deputy Chief) 5/27/2022

Fire protection in Presque Isle Maine was organized in 1875 when the town voted to buy $500 worth of hose to hook to a pump located in the mill on the Presque Isle Stream near the center of town.  There was a Captain and Foreman of the pump on the roster. In 1876 twenty-eight civic minded citizens pledged money for a fire carriage and parts for the pump. Unfortunately, in May 1884, a fire started in a 3-story wooden building in the center of town at about 2 AM.  Soon the fire was out of control and 19 buildings were lost. Apparently, the pump at the mill was frozen.

Agitation for better fire protection resulted in the town voting to buy a fire engine. A Remington horse powered fire engine arrived in January of 1885. It was a low-cost alternative to a steam powered fire engine. Arms around the engine were moved to run piston pumps pumping water. In 1885 the Maine Legislature passed an act incorporating the Presque Isle Village Fire Department (known locally as the Fire Corporation). It was not part of the town government, but raised revenue by taxing buildings within its established territory.  In 1887the Presque Isle Water Company was formed and a dam built on Kennedy Brook (now Mantle Lake) to supply water to the town.  By 1893 the Remington was sold. Fire suppression was done by connecting a 2 ½ inch hose to one of 10 fire hydrants. Insurance records for that time show the department had two hose carts and a hook and ladder wagon.

In June of 1909 the most destructive fire in the town's history took place. Dry conditions and heavy winds spread a fire that started on North Main St. It burned as far as Academy St. and the fire consumed 100 buildings and covered 40 acres.  In 1917 the town voted to take over the fire department from the Village Corporation. A year later the purchased their first motorized fire engine, an American LaFrance 350 gpm truck with a 40-gallon chemical water tank. At this time there was one permanent man at the station.  As time progressed, more motorized equipment was added. In 1924 a 1000 gpm American LaFrance pumper was added. In 1929 the volunteers purchased a Chevrolet truck (Pips) with their own money for a hose wagon. Later they put skis and lags on it for use in the winter since the roads were not plowed then.  In 1931 a Mack ladder truck was purchased replacing a Seagrave horse drawn ladder truck. In 1937, a Chevrolet truck was purchased and members outfitted it with a 175-gallon water tank and pump, making it useful in rural areas. By 1942, and the Second World War starting, there were two full time men employed. The Presque Isle Army Air Base was constructed growing the area. A new Mack pumper came in 1947 and an American LaFrance aerial ladder truck in 1949. In 1950 a new wing to the station was added and six full time men employed.  In 1951 a full-time chief was hired.

Rapid growth in the department came in the next decades. By 1966 there were three shifts of 4 full time men and 33 volunteer firefighters. Five-inch supply hose came about in the 1970's.  The department provided fire protection for the airport.  A big addition in 1985 was a pumper tanker with 3000 gallons of water and a folding tank.  The old station became too small and eventually in 2001 a new Public Safety Building was erected on North Street. An ambulance service run by the fire department was started by the City in 2017. Currently there are 20 full time employees and 20 paid call firefighters.