Welcome to the
Augusta Fire Department


Dave Groder

Fire Chief

Steve Leach

Deputy Fire Chief

Leadership >

The Augusta Fire Department is a professional department that provides full-time firefighting, public education, and Paramedic-level Emergency Medical Services to Maine's capital and surrounding communities.


Purpose/Mission: The Fire Chief is appointed by and responsible to the City Manager and is responsible for implementing and executing all City and Department policies, administering all suppression, prevention, and public education relative to fire services, emergency medical services, hazardous materials incidents, and emergency management.


The members of the Augusta Fire Department are dedicated professionals committed to safely serving our community by protecting life, property, and the environment through fire suppression, prevention, education, and integrated pre-hospital emergency services.

Message from
The Chief
Goals and
Objectives
AFD: By the
Numbers
Additionally
Resources

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to learn more about your fire service. Great things are going on at the Augusta Fire Department (AFD) from advancements in technology, equipment, training, and delivery of services. The men and women of the AFD work diligently every day to fulfill our mission to YOU, our customers.

Should you need our service or simply have a question or suggestion about how we can better serve you, please feel free to contact me at 207-626-2422 or dave.groder@augustamaine.gov.


As always, from our family to yours, it is a privilege to serve you and we look forward to safe days ahead for you and your family. We thank you for the opportunity to serve you and we never forget that we are here because of, and for YOU, our customers.


-Chief Groder


In support of our mission to the community, the following areas will be our focus in the coming year:

  • Staffing to meet the demands of the community continues to be paramount. With the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant remaining uncommitted, additional staffing may be recommended.
  • With the hiring of advanced EMTs, we are faced with contractual commitments to provide education at the paramedic level. This will require compensating them or providing relief during training hours as well as paying for the schooling upon successful completion.


  • Having multiple rescues and apparatus on order with extended delivery times, maintaining an older fleet of vehicles requires additional efforts and resources. Support for preventative maintenance is increased.
  • With the aging Daryl Parker Wells fire station on Bangor Street, the need for securing a property for a new east-side fire station remains a priority.
  • Maintaining the health of staff remains critical to our mission. Supporting the Peer Support Team with a professional clinician who provides training, guidance to the team, and hands-on support to staff at times of need is an additional focus.

2023 EMS Call Volume by City

Primary Coverage Areas

Augusta - 5,708 (85.44%)

Hallowell - 638 (9.55%)

Chelsea - 129 (1.93%)


Interfacility Transfer Calls outside of Augusta

Waterville - 40 (0.60%)

Rockport - 2 (0.03%)

Portland - 1 (0.01%)


Mutual Aid Responses included 117 total calls.

Broken down below:


Delta Ambulance communities included 38 calls

Windsor - 11 (0.16%)

Vassalboro - 9 (0.13%)

Sidney - 5 (0.07%)

Somerville - 5 (0.07%)


Whitefield - 4 (0.06%)

China - 1 (0.01%)

Mount Vernon - 1 (0.01%)

Palermo - 1 (0.01%)

Wayne - 1 (0.01%)


Winthrop Ambulance communities include 39 calls

Winthrop - 18 (0.27%)

Readfield - 8 (0.12%)

Monmouth - 7 (0.10%)

Manchester - 6 (0.09%)


Gardiner Fire Department communities (some of our Chelsea calls may be in Gardiner's territory) include 40 calls

Gardiner - 24 (0.36%)

Farmingdale - 7 (0.10%)

West Gardiner - 4 (0.06%)

Pittston - 3 (0.04%)

Randolph - 2 (0.03%)

Fire Safety Tips

Smoke Alarm Safety Smoke Detectors Save Lives

Escape Planning Have a plan to Get Out & Stay Out

Alternate Heating Safety



afd patch

CONTACT INFORMATION

Fire Chief Dave Groder

Hartford Fire Station

369 Water Street

Augusta, Me 04330


Phone: (207) 626-2421

Fax: (207) 626-2424