Sanford reinstates Rescue mutual aid pact

Sanford Fire and Rescue Chief Steven Benotti

LEBANON - Sanford Fire and Rescue has reinstated its mutual aid agreement for Rescue incidents with Lebanon after a discussion on Wednesday between Lebanon Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Meehan and Sanford Fire and Rescue Chief Steven Benotti.

In an email sent Meehan after the meeting, Benotti stated, "As a result of your moving forward and actions taken so far, the City of Sanford Fire Department has agreed to reinstate service with ambulance mutual aid to the Town of Lebanon effective immediately."

Sanford will, however, still charge the $2,000 sole responder fee when it responds to a Lebanon call in which Lebanon cannot field a Rescue crew, and also pursue collections against Lebanon for sole responder fees that have already been billed, Benotti said.

In an email sent to The Lebanon Voice today, Meehan said the get-together was a big step forward.

"The meeting was very positive and we are moving in the right direction," Meehan said.

Sanford had pulled the plug on its mutual aid agreement with Lebanon on Feb. 6.