ROCKLAND —  Rockland Fire and EMS personnel responded to three different incidents at once in the district they serve, Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 22.

During the day, the Rockland station can be staffed with as many as six staff members. At night, the number drops to as low as four, though there is always a roster of on-call responders who may or may not be able to attend at any given time.

At approximately 3 p.m., five personnel members from Rockland arrived on scene of a fire on Amelia Drive. As those inside a small shed were working on a snowmobile, a fire started inside the shed, according to Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock. 

Being first on scene, the crew already had their first line stretched and on the fire when Thomaston units arrived. However, since the structure is technically within Thomaston limits, Thomaston Fire Chief Mikial Mazzeo took over command.

Responding mutual aid from South Thomaston and Warren were cancelled while still en route, and the Rockland engine truck and Chief’s car were back in quarters by 3:30 p.m.

Some damage to the interior occurred, and one minor skin burn was reported, according to Whytock. 

While the chief and some crew were at Amelia Drive, another two responders were called to a citizen assist elsewhere, leaving two other Fire/EMS staff at the station.

Just after 3 p.m., those final two were en route to a rear-end collision on Camden Street, opposite the Breakwater Building. At least one more on-call responder arrived shortly after.

“That’s why I constantly stress staffing,” said Whytock. “For about a quarter of our calls, we get another at the same time.”

One occupant of the minor crash was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, and traffic was kept moving through the one open lane thanks to a police officer who steadily alternated between north and southbound traffic.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com