Sister Cities Fire Departments
Andrew R. Turcotte (Andy) the Fire Chief of Westbrook, who oversees all areas of the operation, was our guest and speaker on March 15.
Andy spoke about the coming exchanges between the fire department of Archangel, Russia and the Greater Portland Fire Departments. Teams from Archangel will make two trips here and teams from Greater Portland Fire Department will make two trips to Russia to learn from each other. Firefighter exchange programs are not a new concept nationally, but are in their infancy in our area. This exchange program will allow both areas' firefighters an opportunity to enhance performance, pursue new innovative ideas in Fire/EMS service lines, assist in use of new technologies, and build strong lasting relationships.
L-R: Mike Sanphy – Westbrook City Council, Chief Andrew Turcotte,
Deborah Shangraw – Rotary Club of Westbrook/Gorham.
The evolving Greater Portland/Archangel exchange grew out of the close relationship which began during WWII where convoys from the US and the Allies brought badly needed food and other supplies to the Arctic ports of Murmansk and Archangel. Most WWII convoys from America formed up in and sailed from Casco Bay. Unfortunately, starting in the 1950s, the Cold War cooled the progress in friendly relations between the two countries. Overtures were begun in 1983, and by late 1987 there were 14 official Soviet-American sister cities from across the two countries, including Greater Portland and Archangel. Westbrook Mayor Phil Spiller led the first Maine citizen diplomats to Archangel in November 1988. The following year, Mayor Potyomkin lead a delegation to the Portland area when 11 Greater Portland cities and towns signed an agreement to support the new relationship. Since that time it is estimated that more than 50 delegations with more than 1,000 people have traveled between Greater Portland and Archangel.
Andy who holds degrees in Paramedicine, Community Paramedicine, and Nursing, and is in the process of finishing his MBA. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chief's and is an active member in their EMS Section. He has also has completed many other intensive programs and certifications in fields of paramedicine and nursing.