Munjoy Hill Fire Station

05/25/2026

05/01/2026

Please join us in congratulating Munjoy Hill’s own Captain John Hardy as he works his final shift with the Portland Fire Department today.

Captain Hardy began his career with the PFD on May 1, 1995. He was promoted to Lieutenant on January 2, 2012, and later to Captain on September 30, 2018 and assigned to Ladder Company 1, where he has been a trusted leader, and a familiar face around the station and neighborhood.

At 0800 hours tomorrow, he will hang up his gear for the final time. We thank him for his years of dedicated service to the department and the Munjoy Hill neighborhood. His impact on this company and this neighborhood will not be forgotten.

Enjoy your well-earned retirement—we wish you all the best in your next chapter!

04/28/2026

🚢⚓️ A notable visitor has arrived in Portland Harbor.

The future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is currently docked overnight at Ocean Gateway Pier while underway on sea trials.

Built right here in Maine at Bath Iron Works, DDG-127 honors Marine Corps Lance Corporal Patrick Gallagher, a Navy Cross recipient recognized for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.

04/28/2026

We remember Thomas W. Burnham, who on this day in 1903 died in the line of duty. Hoseman Burnham joined the department in 1856 as a member of the "Tiger" Hand Engine Co. 3. Hoseman Burnham's career with the department spanned many major events and changes within the PFD, including the change from hand-pump engines to steam fire engines and helping fight the great conflagration on July 4, 1866 that destroyed over 1,500 buildings in the city. Hoseman Burnham resigned from the department in 1877 and became a member of the Portland Veteran Firemen's Association in 1892, one year after its inception.

On April 26, 1903, Ex-Hoseman Burnham was pressed into service to assist companies battling a lumber yard fire on Holyoke Wharf (Box 3-64). Hoseman Burnham suffered serious burns while escaping a flashover and subsequently died from his injuries two days later. He was 69 years old.

For his supreme sacrifice he is remembered, and in the dedication and courage of all our active and retired members, and all firefighters past and present, his spirit lives on.

04/13/2026

Today, we pause to remember Firefighter Stephen Pallotta on the 18th anniversary of his passing, following his battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Stephen served proudly with Engine Company 1 on Munjoy Hill, where his dedication to the job and commitment to others left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to work alongside him. He carried himself with quiet strength, always putting the needs of his crew and community first.

We remember Stephen today and always.

04/06/2026

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Ben Appel of Ladder Company 1 on Platoon 3 on his recent Promotion to Lieutenant.

03/24/2026

We remember Firefighter Joseph C. Cavallaro, who on this day in 1980 died in the line of duty. FF Cavallaro joined the department in November 1977. Assigned to Engine 1, FF Cavallaro died from burns and asphyxiation while fighting a 3-alarm fire at Box 3-53, the Phoenix Nightclub, at 83 Oak Street. He was 26 years old.

The department's "Medal of Valor," our highest honor, is named in FF Cavallaro's memory. Marine 2, a 42-foot Duffy built in 1992 , is also named in his honor.

For his supreme sacrifice he is remembered, and in the dedication and courage of all our active and retired members, and all firefighters past and present, his spirit lives on.

03/20/2026

Happy first day of Spring in Portland!

Seriously, Spring is here… it’s just running a little late, probably stuck at this intersection.

01/05/2026

Rest in Peace Lieutenant

With profound sadness and with heavy hearts the department regrets to announce the passing of retired PFD Lieutenant John Kooistra. Lt. Kooistra joined the department in December 1990 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2004, a rank he held until his retirement in January 2019 when he joined the Windham, Maine Fire Department as Deputy Chief.

With his retirement, Lt. Kooistra left behind a large legacy with our department, especially in the area of MedCU and EMS operations. Lt. Kooistra was a founding, driving force behind our Infection Control program, our tactical medicine program including embedding paramedics with the Portland Maine Police Department’s SRT team, our QA/QI program, the Paramedic Bike Team, the Child Passenger Safety Technician Team, monthly Grand Rounds training directly with our medical director, and was part of the initial collaborative work with City of Portland Health and Human Services in 2016 responding to the increase in overdose activity that eventually led to the creation of our community outreach program called Mobile Medical Outreach, or MMO. Beyond these contributions to our department and many more to Maine EMS, John was a mentor, a good friend, regularly promoted morale through having fun at work, and was a much-beloved coworker to so many. He will be sorely missed by all.

Our thoughts are with his family, our brothers and sisters on the Windham Fire Department, and the entire EMS community in Maine as we mourn this tremendous loss.