SOUTH THOMASTON – For the next month, the town of South Thomaston may seem like two towns. The church on the south side of the Weskeag River is less than half a mile from the ‘Keag Store to the north, yet travel between the two becomes a long commute via Westbrook Street on the south and Buttermilk Lane on the north. Not even emergency vehicles have passage across the bridge until it is torn down and rebuilt.

However, plans are in place allowing access to medical and urgent issues on both sides of the river.

From Monday, Oct. 2, until an anticipated date of November 6, the South Thomaston Fire Department will keep a fire truck on Elm Street, according to Fire Chief Bryan Calderwood. Crew members who live in that area will respond with that engine. The crew to the south will work with the rest of the apparatus stored at the Spruce Head Road station.

Rockland Fire Department is on deck to respond to structure fires, car accidents, and water rescue incidents on the Elm Street side of town.

For the north side, Calderwood has called upon a town not usually first on the list. Warren has agreed to respond with their tanker and engine for structure fires for the entire town.

This, according to Calderwood, “eliminates the need for Owls Head or St. George to make the long ride around to Rte 1 to get to the other side.”

As for ambulance services, the South Thomaston crew will cover the station side of the bridge during the day, as well as drive to the airport for transports from Vinalhaven when time allows. Rockland will cover the north side during the day and provide hospital transports during the night from that side. St. George EMS will also respond as mutual aid during the night.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com