LINCOLNVILLE — The Lincolnville Board of Selectmen Monday night voted unanimously to accept a gift of new emergency extrication equipment, which was donated to the town by the nonprofit Lincolnville Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

Lincolnville Fire Chief Ben Hazen, who is also a board member of the 501c3 public charity that provides support, personnel and advice to the town's fire department, told the selectmen that the current equipment was becoming increasingly harder to use, find parts for and to service.

"This new equipment is versatile, lightweight, we can plug it in anywhere and it's easy to carry, like if there is a car way up on the woods," said Hazen.

Since July 2013, Lincolnville Fire Department has been using extrication equipment it acquired from Camden First Aid Association when it closed shop and liquidated its assets. In addition to Hurst Jaws of Life hydraulic equipment, that acquisition included a 1994 Chevrolet utility truck and a variety of hand tools and other equipment used to stabilize vehicles and rescue victims from crumpled cars and trucks and other tight spots.

Hazen said Monday night that his firefighters had been doing a lot of training with other towns, and taking stock of what they had for equipment.

"We did our own research and come to find out, we have IPS, a dealer we use a lot for our fire department equipment purchases and they came up and did a demo and we really like the Holmatra brand," said Hazen. "So we went and purchased this extrication equipment, for around $33,000, and want to donate it to the town."

Hazen said the new equipment includes a spreader, cutter, two telescopic rams, a two-stage spider pump unit and four sets of hoses, plus pulling tips and a chain attachment.

"A lot of my guys have had extensive training in extrication and I want to give them the opportunity to use this new equipment and keep Lincolnville at the forefront of technology," said Hazen.

He also asked the town for permission to dispose of the Hurst equipment.

"I have been talking to area chiefs who might be interested in our older equipment, and if someone is, I would like to give it to that town," said Hazen. "I can also put it out to the Maine Fire Chiefs' Association if nobody locally is interested."

Board of Selectmen Chairman Ladleah Dunn asked if there were any questions, and seeing none, she took a motion from Selectman Cathy Hardy to accept the gift and authorize the fire department to dispose of the old equipment.

The vote was unanimous, with no discussion, and then there was a brief break in the meeting for show-and-tell outside in the parking lot, where Hazen and the Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors had set up a display of the new equipment. The board members appearing with Hazen before the selectmen Monday night included A.J. Weed, Sam Lanning, Don Fullington and Nick Heal.

Related story:

• Camden First Aid rescue tools find home in Lincolnville

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.