You know you live in a small community when a resident reports a fire by texting the fire chief directly, as occurred recently in Camden.

“Don’t do that!” Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley told attendees of a marine emergency safety presentation at the Camden Yacht Club on Wednesday, July 13.

“I’m not like the younger generation,” he said. “I don’t check my phone as often as they do.”

The presentation included a question and answer session with Farley, Maine Marine Patrol Officer Corrie Roberts, and Coast Guard BM1 Thomas Laci.

Very High Frequency radio is still okay to use any time, anywhere. However, calling 911 is the method these first responders want the public to try first when reporting an issue.

The Coast Guard will no longer give boaters a tow simply because the boat ran out of gas.

And, just so you know, Marine Patrol has land jurisdiction also.

“If I’m back in my car and a speeder goes by me, I’m obligated to pursue that,” Roberts said.

In the following pictures, attendees try out fire extinguishers and flares before watching water rescues in which Roberts and volunteers use a hoist approach to get Oliver out of the water.

“I don’t feel a thing,” Oliver said, about his wet suit’s impermeability to the cold ocean temperatures.