04/20/2026
KINGFIELD, Maine — This weekend, Kingfield Fire-Rescue welcomed the community to an open house and to participate in a defining chapter in the history of the department. Despite the damp April afternoon, dozens of people joined the department in a swearing-in ceremony and in placing the newest fire truck fully into service.
The roster of Kingfield Fire-Rescue, joined by retired members, town officials, and members of the community, gathered at the Kingfield Fire Station on Sunday afternoon.
Honor and Courage
For the first time in department history, the entire crew of the Kingfield Fire-Rescue was sworn in to service.
“The Kingfield Fire Department has grown from its proud roots as an all-volunteer organization into a modern fire-rescue service that now includes daytime per-diem staffing,” Captain Josh Stewart said. “This growth reflects the changing needs of our community, and our unwavering commitment to meet those needs with strength, skill, and dedication. With that evolution comes responsibility—to formalize our commitment, to honor our duty, and to recognize the oath that binds us together.”
Kingfield Town Manager Leanna Targett led the firefighters in the oath: “I do solemnly swear to serve the people of Kingfield with courage, honor, and integrity; to protect life and property without hesitation, without excuse; to stand ready in fire, in crisis, and in the quiet moments between; to act with skill, with heart, and with the trust of those beside me; to place the safety of others above my own; and to uphold the proud tradition of the Kingfield Fire Department. This I swear with pride in my heart and duty in my soul.”
The Firefighter’s Oath is reflective of the mission statement of the department: “the protection of life, property, and the environment through firefighting and rescue operations.” This mission is grounded in the proud tradition and core values of the Kingfield Fire Department: that we are honorable, that we are courageous, and that we are tactically aggressive.
Addressing the firefighters, Chief Nichols said, “The last year has not been easy. You have spent countless hours training, maintaining this station, and responding to calls in the dead of night and in the middle of Maine winters. You’ve balanced your careers and your families with the heavy mantle of being a first responder. The arrival of Tanker 194 and the growth of our roster is a direct result of your hard work and your reputation for excellence. Thank you for your professional pride, and your unwavering dedication to this town.”
Per-Diem Staff
With the support of the Town of Kingfield, both municipal officers and community members alike, Kingfield Fire-Rescue added daytime per-diem staffing to the department’s operations this past fall.
“In today’s world, the ‘volunteer-only’ model is a challenge for many small towns, particularly during the work day when many of our members are at their primary jobs,” Chief Nichols said. “By bringing on these skilled professionals to provide coverage during those critical daylight hours, we are ensuring that when someone dials 911, a truck leaves this bay immediately.”
Chief Nichols recognized the commitment and leadership of Deputy Chief Alan Stewart and Captain Josh Stewart, noting the staggering amount of work that has gone into the logistics and training of the new per-diem firefighters. The per-diem roster includes Firefighter-EMT Lex Godin, Firefighter-EMT Kai Raiskio, Firefighter Andre Kolarevic, Firefighter Eric St. Pierre Jr., and Firefighter Chance Brooks. These members join the call-force in serving and protecting the Town of Kingfield and surrounding communities.
Tanker-Pumper 194
The push-in ceremony is a long-standing fire service tradition that dates back to the days of horse-drawn firefighting apparatus, when firefighters returning from a call would physically push the equipment back into the station. Today, while modern apparatus requires no such effort, the push-in is a symbol of teamwork, pride, and dedication.
“This apparatus represents a significant investment in the lives and property of every resident in this town,” Fire Chief Fred Nichols said. “It is a state-of-the-art tool that will allow us to move more water, respond more efficiently, and provide a higher level of protection to our more rural areas.”
Tanker-Pumper 194 was designed by the Kingfield Fire-Rescue officers and town officials to meet the needs of the community, combining four-wheel drive with a 2,000 gallon tank and an aggressive pump to ensure adequate water flow. This apparatus was built from the wheels up to meet and exceed the needs of the community. The whole-hearted support from the Kingfield community was invaluable in the process of acquiring this apparatus.
“In the fire service, we don’t just ‘start’ a truck. We put it into service,” Chief Nichols continued. “When we conclude this ceremony with the traditional ‘push-in’, we are officially committing this vehicle to the protection of Kingfield. May it serve us well, and more importantly, may it always bring our firefighters home safely.”
The Kingfield Fire-Rescue officers invited the members of the community to join the members of Kingfield Fire-Rescue in pushing Tanker-Pumper 194 into the station, fully placing the new truck into service to serve and protect the Town of Kingfield and surrounding communities.
To the community of Kingfield, know this: your fire department stands ready. Ready to protect, ready to serve, and ready to uphold the values that define us.
Photo: Members of the Kingfield Fire Department stand in front of the new Tanker-Pumper 194. From left: Firefighter Chris Whittemore; Firefighter Andre Kolarevic; Firefighter Chance Brooks; Firefighter-EMT Kai Raiskio; Chief Fred Nichols; Deputy Chief Alan Stewart; Captain Josh Stewart; Firefighter-EMT Annie Whittemore; Firefighter Elias Twitchell; Firefighter Jerrod Dicentes; Firefighter-EMT Lex Godin; Firefighter Eric St. Pierre Jr. Photo by Lauren Brackett, Captured By Lauren.
