MIDCOAST — As they did a month ago for Firefighter Andrew Cross, members of the region’s fire service are organizing a 24 hour per day vigil to stay with Searsmont Asst. Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury at a funeral home in Belfast. Woodbury, 76, passed away on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, due to injuries suffered while fighting a fire at Robbins Lumber, May 15, 2026, in Searsmont. 

According to Waldoboro Fire Chief Paul Smeltzer, firefighters throughout Maine, as well as firefighters throughout all of the New England states, have stated their desire to participate in this long tradition to never leave their fallen. Chief Smeltzer is state director of New England Association of Fire Chiefs. He also helped organize the firefighter side of the Honor Guard procession for Andrew Cross.

Woodbury’s body is due to arrive at Riposta Funeral Home, in Belfast, this afternoon. Organizers have reached out to active fire departments with a sign-up sheet of 4-hour shifts, to be served with two firefighters per shift, starting at 4 p.m. today and continuing until the end of his funeral services, which have not yet been announced.

As Lincolnville Fire Dept. welcomes home one of their firefighters this afternoon, the department is also helping to escort Asst. Chief Woodbury from Augusta to Belfast. In order for this to happen, Camden Fire Dept. is covering all LVFD fire calls from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. today.  

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com