Raffle Fundraiser to Assist Families of Firefighters Involved in Robbins Mill Incident

Kayla Rochon Events, News

New England Fools has organized a raffle fundraiser to assist the families of the firefighters involved in the Robbins Mill Incident in May.

One Ticket, One Price. MULTIPLE Unbelievable Prizes. Multiple Chances To Win With the Same Ticket.

On Friday May 15th, the fire and explosion at the Robbins Mill changed the face of the fire service in Waldo County forever.

The repercussions of the loss of Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and Searsmont Assistant Chief Wayne Woodbury along with the injuries sustained by members of the Searsmont Fire Dept, Searsmont EMS, Belmont Fire, Montville Fire, Lincolnville Fire and Appleton Fire Departments will be felt for years to come.

Proceeds of This Raffle Will Go To The Portland Firefighters Children’s Burn Foundation, Who Have Been Taking Care of the Families of Those Who Are and Were Admitted To Maine Med Since the Fire and Explosion at the Robbins Mill in Searsmont in May.

Your Contributions Will Allow The Portland Firefighters Children’s Burn Foundation To Continue To Provide For The Families Of Those Still At Maine Med, and To Provide For Those In the Future Who May Need Similar Assistance.

Tickets are $75/each. Winners will be drawn when all tickets are sold, and each ticket is eligible to win more than once.
Please put your phone number and/or email in the comments when you purchase
Venmo is @newenglandfools, PayPal is newenglandfoolspresident@gmail.com

Ticket sales will be discontinued at 0800 on Saturday, July 11th.

Prizes Include:

  • Piglet from THE PIG – Forcible Entry Tool courtesy of Walter Lewis
  • “Behind the Pump” class from W.D. Perkins Fire Pump Specialist
  • Prizes courtesy of The Brand Company; (chance to win a pizza oven, solar battery charger or jump pack)
  • Weekend Stay at the Village by the Sea – Wedding Venue in Wells Maine
  • Custom New England FOOLS Sign from Cornbread Customs
  • Coolers courtesy of The City
  • Capital City Industries LLC pack; hat, can strap and stickers
  • Custom radio strap from 603 Leather LLC
  • What Exit? FOOLS of New Jersey swag pack
  • Fire and Ice FOOLS & Bon Temps FOOLS swag pack
  • Axe from Fire Axe Inc
  • Swag pack from Elkhart Brass (4 chances to win)
  • Swag pack from Burlington Vermont Fire Department and the PFFNH Pipes and Drums
  • Swag pack from FOOLS Convention 2023 plus assorted coins & stickers (2 chances to win)
  • Swag pack from Northland FOOLS
  • Swag pack from PNSY Fire IAFF Local (2 chances to win)
  • Pair of Paul Combs prints (3 chances to win)
  • Globe Boots from MSA and Firematic (3 chances to win)
  • Three Pack of Books from FDIC
  • Pair of Day 1 single Day passes to the FDNY High Rise Symposium
  • Pair of passes to ‘Beds To Bundles’ July 25 courtesy of nfftf.org (2 chances to win)
  • TopFloor Tactics swag packs (2 chances to win)
  • TCM Swag pack
  • Port City Training Swag Packs (2 chances to win)
  • GP Shields custom helmet front
  • Joey D Seminar 3-day pass. Nov 6–8, 2026, on Long Island
  • Swag Pack from Amity FD/Edgartown MA FD
  • Swag pack from FOOLS Int’l (2 chances to win)
  • Swag pack from Da Region FOOLS
  • Custom front from MidWest Fire Fronts
  • Dickies Chore Coat from Boston Fire Gear
  • Pair of passes to the 2027 Burlington, VT Spring Seminar
  • $500 Charter from 3rd Alarm Charters on Lake Champlain
  • Pair of Consultations from First Responders Liaison for Body Symmetry MD, Beyond The Call
  • Custom Leather Radio strap from Quackdraft Leatherworks
  • Cairns/MSA 1836 helmet from Firematic
  • NY Roof Hook courtesy of Mike Deniger via TCM (2 chances to win)
  • Northeastern Fire Summit Full weekend w/ lodging courtesy of the Florin family and the Scott Weinhold Memorial Fund
  • Custom Helmet front from the Hose Shop
  • Pair of passes to attend Training Days, in Alexandria VA, Lodging included, travel not included. Sept 2026
  • Taylor’s Tins Gift Card from Lauren Carter & John Levers.
  • Fire Vulcan from O’Leary Landscaping
  • Two walk-on passes to the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes & Drums harbor cruise 8/14
  • Swag Pack from Eastern Fire Equip/Roto-Rays (4 chances to win)
  • Old South FOOLS Swag pack
  • Size Large N5A leather fire helmet courtesy of the Portland Firefighters Burn Foundation
  • Swag pack of assorted stickers & coins in a Rig Bag courtesy of the New England FOOLS
  • New England FOOLS swag packs (2 chances to win)
  • Conference pass to the 2027 Northeastern Fire Summit courtesy of the New England FOOLS (2 chances to win)
  • Pass to the next Alarm of Fire HOT class

So, to recap. One TREMENDOUS cause. $75 per chance. Multiple Chances To Win. Two Fire Helmets. Tools Galore. A Whole Buncha Custom Leather Goods. Swag Packs out the wazoo. Training Conference Passes Up and Down the East Coast. Custom Helmet Fronts. And More. All while Doing the Right Thing!

Raffle Fundraiser in Support of Firefighters Involved in Robbins Mill Explosion

Kayla Rochon Events, News

On Friday May 15th, the fire and explosion at the Robbins Mill changed the face of the fire service in Waldo County forever.  The repercussions of the loss of Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross, along with the injuries sustained by members of the Searsmont Fire Dept, Searsmont EMS, Belmont Fire, Montville Fire, Lincolnville Fire and Appleton Fire Departments, will be felt for years to come.

We have put together a fundraiser to benefit these firefighters and their families who have been affected. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Brothers & Sisters from the Searsmont Mill Fire & Explosion, we will be making the donations to one of the established funds.

Our vendor friends have come through with amazing donations including: a leather fire helmet courtesy of Bergeron Protective Clothing and Equipment; a composite helmet courtesy of Fire Tech & Safety; a Piglet tool from THE PIG – Forcible Entry Tool; a Lock X-Traction Tool, FSV Hook and Halligan Style Forcible Entry tool all from Council Tool; a Phenix TL2 leather helmet from Granite State Fire Helmets; a custom leather radio strap from Campfire Leather;  custom leather goods from 190 Leatherworks; two different rechargeable hand lights courtesy of the Brand Company; a prize pack from Taylors Tins; a prize pack from the Notorious Fire Company; a set of custom cornhole boards from 1st-In Grafix; a custom hand-painted helmet front from Custom Helmet Shields; a custom helmet front from the Hose Shop; a prize pack from National Fire Radio; a RAM Monitor and stacked tips from Elkhart Brass; and swag packs from the New England FOOLS including a conference pass to the 2027 Northeastern Fire Summit in Wells Maine in March of 2027.  More prizes to follow!

Tickets are $75/ea, with a total of 250 tickets being sold.  Winners will be drawn when all tickets are sold, and each ticket is eligible to win more than once.  Venmo is @newenglandfools, PayPal is newenglandfoolspresident@gmail.com.

So, to recap.  One TREMENDOUS cause. $75 per chance. Multiple Chances To Win.  Three Fire Helmets.  Tools Galore.  A Buncha Custom Leather Goods.  Swag Packs for Days.  Cornhole.  Helmet Fronts.  Nozzles and Monitors.  All the while Doing the Right Thing!

 

New England FOOLS, Wakefield Firefighter Relief Association Launch ‘Firematic Raffle’ to Support Firefighter Marnie Sheeran

Kayla Rochon Events, News

Wakefield Firefighter Marnie Sheeran is in the fight for her life. A US Army veteran with 20 years in the fire service she is battling cancer for the second time in 9 years.

A breast cancer survivor, she is currently faced with advanced cancers in her liver, lungs and bones, we are looking to do as much for her as we can to ease her burden while she is engaged in this battle.

Through cooperation with the New England FOOLS and the Wakefield Firefighter Relief Association, we are running a firematic raffle.

100% of the money going to Marnie directly.

Our vendor friends have allowed to offer multiple amazing prizes including a leather fire helmet courtesy of Firematic and MSA, a composite helmet courtesy of Firetech and Safety, a hand-made leather fire bucket courtesy of Northeast Rescue Systems, a Piglet tool from Lonestar Axe, a set of irons from Council Tools, a custom Ben2 fire helmet from Capitol City Industries, a Phenix TL2 leather helmet courtesy of Granite State Fire Helmets some custom leather goods from both 603 Leather and 190 Leatherworks and a flat-head axe courtesy of Bergeron Protective Equipment.

Tickets are $60/ea, with a total of 250 tickets being sold.  Winners will be drawn when all tickets are sold, and each ticket is eligible to win more than once.

Tickets Available via Venmo: @newenglandfools or PayPal, newenglandfoolspresident@gmail.com.

 

New England Fools, Merrimac Fire, Merrimac Hose Company #1 to Host Tactical Tutelage: After the Fire is Gone, A Day of Mental Health Awareness Training

Kayla Rochon Events, News, Training

New England Fools President Rusty Ricker, and Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher,  are pleased to share that New England Fools, in collaboration with the Merrimac Fire Department and Merrimac Hose Company #1, will be hosting a Mental Health Awareness Training next week.

 

The training will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sweetsir School, 104 Church St., Merrimac, MA. Merrimac Hose Company #1 is sponsoring the event.

 

Speakers include Sue Brown from Forge VFR, Lieutenant Steve Holms of Exeter Fire/Rescue and United States Marine Corps, and Jeff Dill from the Firefighter Behavioral Alliance.

 

The event will focus on firefighter and first responder mental health, including addressing the stigma, stories of personal loss and growth, and more. It will also discuss the reality of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the impact public safety careers have on mental health.

 

Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Medical staff are the first ones on scene during a traumatic event. Their career is dedicated to keeping their community and residents safe, providing emergency response and support every single day, and ensuring that their community has someone to lean on. But who can they lean on?

 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, and an estimated 3.6 percent of adults experienced PTSD in the past year.

 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions, including depression and PTSD.

 

The training event will offer first responders the opportunity to ask questions, discuss the importance of mental health, and how vital it is to seek help when working in emergency services and responding to traumatic incidents.

 

Admission is free to those from communities within the Pentucket Regional School District. For individuals interested in attending who are outside of the Pentucket community, admission is $25.

 

Tickets and additional information can be found on the New England Fools website here.

 

“By holding this training, sponsors are offering and encouraging public safety members to recognize the value of mental health training,” said Chief Fisher. “It’s extremely important but more importantly, it’s personal for many as we have lost friends and family as a result of mental health issues.”

 

“In late 2017 the New England FOOLS were rocked to our very core by the loss of one of our dear friends and long-time members to suicide, said NE FOOLS President Ricker. “We always knew that OUR mental health was important, but just how important was always on the back burner. Our eyes were forever opened to how mental health issues and suicides have become a major problem in our profession. Since then, with our Conferences, we have taken steps to help bring awareness to the high rates of mental health issues in first responders and to try to help reduce them. It is imperative to eliminate the stigma around mental health and asking for help.”

 

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In Memoriam: Hanover Captain, Michael Clark (Ret.)

Kayla Rochon News

Captain Michael Clark, retired Hanover NH passed away November 11th, 2023. “Olde Clark” was an absolute legend in the New England fire service. His legacy and his memory will carry on through many generations of New England firefighters.

Michael was a multitude of things to a multitude of people. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather. A combat wounded United States Marine veteran of the Vietnam war. He was a firefighter, a fire officer, a fire instructor. He taught around New England, around the Country, and around the world. He was a member of Mass Task Force One. He was a Man of God. He was one of the most passionate fire instructors and finest human beings you’ll ever have met.

Incredible doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the man he was. If you had the pleasure of having met Michael, he left his impression on you. Any of us who were blessed enough to have known him are better for it. The world is a less bright place without Olde Clark in it.

Captain Clark is a man whose legacy is unparalleled in the New England fire service. We encourage all who may have crossed his path over the years to attend and pay homage to him.

Friends and Family are invited to Calling Hours on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 4-8 PM, at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. There will be a uniformed walk through for all Fire Department members at 5 PM. Please report to assemble for a walk through at 4:30 PM. For those wanting to participate, there will be casket watch sign-ups on site.

Click here to download service information

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11 AM, at St. Matthew’s Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087. Those attending the funeral services are asked to report for 9:30 AM, with the lineup at 10:50.

Uniform of the day for both services is Class A uniform w/ white gloves & mourning band. If you will be providing an honor guard, pipes and drums or a large contingent of uniformed members, please fill out the google document here. Any further questions regarding the services, please contact Dan MacAuley, 508-221-1064.