Adam Miceli is the Interim Fire Chief at Rockland Fire and EMS. Miceli became the Interim Chief in 2014 after former Fire Chief Charlie Jordan retired. Initially, Miceli planned to serve as the Interim Chief in a temporary capacity but with the constraints of the Rockland City Budget for 2016, he will be serving again for another year.

Miceli joined the Rockland Fire Department in 1995 as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician. He is a native of New Rochelle, N.Y., and grew up in St. George and Camden.

Why did you want to become a first responder?

I joined the St. George fire department in 1986 with a group of friends as a junior firefighter member and really enjoyed it. I found firefighting exciting and different and Chief Tim Polky was a great mentor. He was very supportive and encouraged me to participate in extensive firefighting training throughout the state like the fire attack schools and fire academy. I learned a great deal when I was with the St. George Fire Department. 

What was one of your most notable calls?

I have experienced so many notable calls but the EMS calls are the ones I remember most since those calls made a greater impact on saving lives.

What are the current challenges facing firefighters since many area fire departments are struggling with recruiting volunteers?

The training requirements are so much stricter now and require a lot of classroom time, which can be hard for many people. A possible solution would be the option of more online and self-study than having to come to a classroom which can be difficult with firefighters who are juggling work and families.

What challenges are you facing as Interim Fire Chief?

Mutual aid is a priority issue. I have met with Jason Peasley, Rockport Fire Chief, to discuss mutual aid and automatic responses. Rockport and Thomaston are Rockland’s primary mutual aid partners and typically end up assisting us on every structure fire. We have been looking at how to best initiate that response to provide more firefighters soon, while not calling too often. Very often the difference between a reported fire and an actual one cannot be determined until someone arrives and evaluates the situation. Our limited number of volunteers causes us to call outside aid soon since we have to follow the safe operating practices established nationwide. Those practices require that we need to have five to seven personnel on the scene before initiating interior firefighting operations unless an obvious situation is present. With mutual aid, it is always a possibility that firefighters from responding  departments may have to turn right around and return home especially in alarm situations.

What do you think is special about the Rockland Fire Department?

We are special because we have paid duty personnel who stay right in the station, including overnight, during their shifts. This allows us to arrive quicker at a situation because of the staff located at the fire station who all have an assigned job during an emergency. Also, the team at Rockland is great and they are always ready to work together day in and day out.

Why is it important for a community to have a strong fire department?

Firefighters and EMS personnel make a big difference in the community. An EMS call can typically save a life and have a very positive outcome.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com