ROCKLAND — Residents of Woodlands Memory Care Center, in Rockland, were briefly relocated from the south section of the facility to the north section after staff reported a burning odor in multiple areas, Sunday evening.

No flames or smoke were seen, nor did the built-in sprinkler system and hard-wired fire alarm activate when the smell was reported to Knox County Communications Center, March 29, at approximately 5:20 p.m.

In the end, firefighters determined that the smell likely came from an air handler malfunction or a belt in a gear box, according to Rockland Chief Chris Whytock. 

Still, in the eyes of the fire department, a report of smoke is as report of fire.

As Rockland’s B-Shift duty crew questioned staff and searched the interior, automatic mutual aid began to arrive, bringing manpower needed for a possible structure fire. Their presence also loaned assistance should a large number of people need to be evacuated. 

“At 201 Camden Street, being a dementia unit, and being that they only have two or three staff members there, that’s a lot of work to get 20-plus people out of that building and keep them safe once they’re outside,” he said. “That’s a big concern, and another good reason why we keep everybody coming, even if we’re sure there isn’t an active fire in the building.”

In this case, staff were able to get everybody up and to the other side of the fire door that separates the north and south sections without anyone getting wet from the outside rain, snow, and chill. 

Rockport responded, bringing with them their equipment and prompt response (due to proximity).

Camden brought its ladder truck, and its crew resumed its role as rapid intervention in case a firefighter became injured inside and needed to be pulled out immediately. As soon as B Shift determined that scene was safe, Camden was released, in order to free up resources that might suddenly be needed elsewhere. 

All firefighters cleared the scene after about 45 minutes.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com