Read the full article by Marina Schauffler (Maine Morning Star)
“This article is the third in a series, A Fire Hose of ‘Forever Chemicals,’ which can be seen in entirety here.
Small-town fire stations have a striking simplicity, their plain architecture and functional interiors reflect their sole mission: mustering members, largely volunteers, to help neighbors in times of need. In Maine, many of these buildings were constructed in the last century, at a time when communities were smaller, fewer demands were placed on firefighters, and far less was known about the hazards of the job.
Monmouth’s 62-year-old fire station fits this stereotype, with three truck bays flanked by a single meeting room. One wall of the truck bay holds hooks for the protective turnout gear that the department’s volunteer firefighters don to shield them from flames, heat and water.”…