SEARSMONT – Construction of the new Searsmont fire station is well under way and slightly ahead of schedule with a new estimated completion date of October. However, the town continues fundraising efforts to finance the modern necessities expected of a fire station.

The Searsmont Fire Department serves 1,500 residents, and assists 14,000 residents of seven other Waldo County communities during emergencies.

"We will be asking local businesses, people, and foundations for a little over $400,000," said Searsmont First Selectman Bruce Brierley, in a news release. "We already have more than $1 million in the new fire station building fund. The gifts we are asking for now will allow us to create a state-of-the-art new fire station that can meet the needs of Searsmont's growing community for the next 75 years."

Searsmont's population has more than doubled in the last twenty-five years, according to Brierley, and is still growing. With more people, more homes, and more business property expected, a new fire station is needed to house firetrucks, an ambulance, first responders, and the Searsmont Emergency Management Agency. Emergency and public safety services reach residents of Searsmont, Belmont, Lincolnville, Montville, Liberty, Morrill, Belfast, and Appleton.

“A more attractive new fire station will also help us enlist firefighters and emergency responders, a challenge that many Maine cities and towns are facing,” said Searsmont Fire Chief James Ames in the release.

The new fire station in Searsmont's village center, 3 Pond Road South, will be a 10,000 square foot steel structure with five truck bays, housing equipment to fight fires, make land and water rescues, and provide emergency services. It will house the fire chief, the emergency services chief, and the town's emergency management agency. It will contain a training room and kitchen for first responders. The structure will incorporate green radiant heat, wastewater and waste solids recovery systems, and is solar-array capable.

The cost of construction and fitting out the new fire station is $1.5 million dollars, according to Chief Ames. The town approved a $1 million construction bond at a special town meeting in 2017, and land was sold to the town for the new fire station for one dollar by Come Spring LLC, owners of Searsmont's Come Spring Industrial Park.

"We hope to occupy the new building by the end of the year," Brierley said. "With the building fund goal in sight, we are asking people and businesses to consider a generous gift to the campaign. The town can offer you recognition as donor of an office, a firetruck, the training room, one of the firetruck and ambulance bays, and even the whole building. All donors' names will be placed on a plaque in the new fire station.

Tax-deductible donations to Searsmont Fire Department can be sent to Town of Searsmont, PO Box 56, Searsmont, Maine 04973.

For more information, contact the Searsmont Town Office at townofsearsmont@fairpoint.net or call 342-5411.