In addition to the law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service, hazardous material, and health services resources which respond to Penobscot County Regional Communication Center, Penobscot County also benefits from the following government and volunteer emergency response resources:
DEEMI SEARCH AND RESCUE
Trains and deploys ground search teams, waterborne craft, 4x4/ATV units, fixed wing aircraft, and rotary wing aircraft. The team provides Penobscot County and surrounding areas with experience in ground search, first aid, medical team comprised of Doctors, Paramedic's and EMTs, map and compass work, amateur radio communications, crime scene preservation, and incident command training.
VK9 SCENT SPECIFIC SEARCH AND RECOVERY UNIT - Providing Specialized K9 Support to LE
Provides "specialized K9 support" to law enforcement agencies with the use of our K9’s in several different recovery venues including, but not limited to: abductions, missing person cases and homicides. Our K9's are also able to do aged (old) work in live scent trailing / tracking, air-scent, evidence / article recovery (all of which can be scent-specific) and cadaver work (both land and water). Our specialty is to be able to work older cases with the use of secondary scent, aged trails, and vehicle trails. We do extensive work in scent matching to identify if a matching scent is present at target locations. Additionally, our K9’s will provide a negative indication when scent is not present to the K9. We have worked many cases successfully using our techniques.
AI+RRNET (AERIAL IMAGERY [and] RESCUE RECOVERY NETWORK)
AI+RRNET is the coordinating center for tactical aerial imagery used in missing person search, rescue and recovery work on both land and water. The high resolution imagery is obtained under guidance from AI+RRNETand relayed for analysis to VIASAR labs in Ohio where it is analyzed by professional analysts. AI+RRNETprovides both the coordinated SAR team mission planning and the link to digital imagery and analysis. AI+RRNETalso deploys hasty teams in the area of the search. This simple idea / technique has led to victims being found on many occasions.
NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
Chartered by Congress in 1905, the Red Cross provides relief to victims displaced by disaster, from the onset of disaster conditions to the recovery phase. Local ARES Emergency Coordinators work closely with their counterparts in the chapter offices, on missions with Red Cross personnel and providing communications for shelter managers.
Red Cross Disaster Services -- This congressionally-mandated service not only applies to major national tragedies but also to single-family incidents, generally fire, flood or tornadoes. Typically, Red Cross responds by purchasing food, new clothing and providing shelter for families to help meet immediate emergency needs.
Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency -- The congressional mandate of the Red Cross includes providing service to our armed forces, including emergency communication between soldiers and their families, emergency leave and referral services.
Amateur radio operators responding with the Red Cross may do so either as Red Cross volunteers or as ham communicators for agency personnel.
Red Cross Disaster Services -- This congressionally-mandated service not only applies to major national tragedies but also to single-family incidents, generally fire, flood or tornadoes. Typically, Red Cross responds by purchasing food, new clothing and providing shelter for families to help meet immediate emergency needs.
Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency -- The congressional mandate of the Red Cross includes providing service to our armed forces, including emergency communication between soldiers and their families, emergency leave and referral services.
Amateur radio operators responding with the Red Cross may do so either as Red Cross volunteers or as ham communicators for agency personnel.
CITIZEN CORPS
The ARRL is an affiliate under the four charter Citizen Corps programs--Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Community Emergency Response Teams and Medical Reserve Corps. Citizen Corps is an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance public preparedness and safety. The relationship calls on DHS and ARRL to raise public awareness of Amateur Radio as a safety resource, to cooperate in providing training and accreditation for Amateur Radio emergency communications and to work together to promote the formation of local Citizen Corps councils and assist them with education, training and volunteer service opportunities that support first responders, disaster relief organizations and community safety efforts.
MAINE WING, CIVIL AIR PATROL
The Maine Wing of CAP is a civilian auxiliary of the US Air Force. CAP is made up of volunteers and among their missions is Emergency Services. These services include air and ground search and rescue operations, disaster relief operations due to tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes, environmental protection operations, State and Regional disaster airlift operations, organ and tissue transportation operations, aerial reconnaissance, transportation of emergency equipment and supplies, and transportation of State Officials and other non-CAP members. Penobscot County has a squadron based at Bangor International Airport.
MAINE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND
AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Deployment of the Maine Army National Guard and Air National Guard for general state or local emergency is under the authority of the Governor of the State of Maine, usually at the request of local authorities under SEMA priorities. Should a large-scale emergency involve Penobscot County, it is possible, that units including the local ground and aviation assets could be assigned to this area. If the President of the United States declares an emergency and with the approval of Congress calls reserve units to active duty, a Guard unit could leave the community for up to a year.
NORTHEASTERN MAINE REGIONAL
RESOURCE CENTER
The Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP) of the Bureau of Health, and the Maine Department of Human Services partnered with Eastern Maine Medical Center to create one of three Regional Resource Centers in the state complementing the existing State Regional Trauma Centers. To this end the Northeastern Maine Regional Resource Center (NMRRC) was started in February, 2004 and has been charged with developing comprehensive plans for a coordinated healthcare response to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies within our region. A major secondary role would be to manage a funds allocation program designed to improve Central Maine's emergency response infrastructure.
The NMRRC is a collaborative venture involving all key partners within the Eastern and Northern Maine Territory including hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, emergency medical service providers, home health agencies, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, mental health agencies, substance abuse agencies, municipal health officers, municipal health departments, tribal health departments and health centers, county emergency management agencies, local emergency planning committees, American Red Cross Chapters, and schools. The funding from the Bureau of Health allows the Resource Center to directly sponsor activities for the improvement of emergency healthcare preparedness. Specifically, these activities include:
- Coordinate and assure that the Bureau’s statewide public health emergency preparedness priority actions are communicated and implemented appropriately throughout the region:
- Evaluate the region’s current capabilities and develop a regional emergency response plan for healthcare that will complement existing plans, determine priorities for possible future funding, and determine grant awards to undertake equipment purchases and/or capital improvements to address the following priorities:
1. Adequate hospital bed capacity for a natural, accidental, or WMD event.
2. Capacity for the isolation and treatment of biologically exposed patients.
3. Heightened EMS coverage in response to a mass casualty incident.
4. Immediate deployment of additional patient care personnel to meaningfully increase hospital patient care surge capacity.
5. Receiving, staging, storing, and dispensing of assets from the Strategic National Stockpile and the Maine Pharmaceutical Cache.
6. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and portable or fixed decontamination systems for managing exposed patients.
7. Regional response to terrorist attacks resulting in injuries due to explosions, including burns and trauma.
8. Addressing psychological health needs and their behavioral manifestations during and following a public health emergency.
9. Development of a redundant, radio-based communication system between health care providers, the RRC, public safety, public health, and emergency management agencies within the region.
Located in Brewer Maine in the Cianchette Building at 43 Whiting Hill Road, the Regional Resource Center also coordinates and offers educational programs to area partners that includes Hospital Awareness & Operations (HAZWOPER) training, NIMS and HICS training, planning & participating in community drills and exercises and offering the Public Health Emergency Prepardedness Lecture Series.
The NMRRC is a collaborative venture involving all key partners within the Eastern and Northern Maine Territory including hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, emergency medical service providers, home health agencies, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, mental health agencies, substance abuse agencies, municipal health officers, municipal health departments, tribal health departments and health centers, county emergency management agencies, local emergency planning committees, American Red Cross Chapters, and schools. The funding from the Bureau of Health allows the Resource Center to directly sponsor activities for the improvement of emergency healthcare preparedness. Specifically, these activities include:
- Coordinate and assure that the Bureau’s statewide public health emergency preparedness priority actions are communicated and implemented appropriately throughout the region:
- Early detection of bioterrorism events through interagency laboratory coordination and collaboration, and promotion of infectious disease reporting region-wide.
- Coordinate communication initiatives including service as a hub for the Maine Health Alert Network (HAN), and developing a regional health risk communication plan.
- Coordinate and implement public health emergency preparedness initiatives related to training of health professionals.
- Evaluate the region’s current capabilities and develop a regional emergency response plan for healthcare that will complement existing plans, determine priorities for possible future funding, and determine grant awards to undertake equipment purchases and/or capital improvements to address the following priorities:
1. Adequate hospital bed capacity for a natural, accidental, or WMD event.
2. Capacity for the isolation and treatment of biologically exposed patients.
3. Heightened EMS coverage in response to a mass casualty incident.
4. Immediate deployment of additional patient care personnel to meaningfully increase hospital patient care surge capacity.
5. Receiving, staging, storing, and dispensing of assets from the Strategic National Stockpile and the Maine Pharmaceutical Cache.
6. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and portable or fixed decontamination systems for managing exposed patients.
7. Regional response to terrorist attacks resulting in injuries due to explosions, including burns and trauma.
8. Addressing psychological health needs and their behavioral manifestations during and following a public health emergency.
9. Development of a redundant, radio-based communication system between health care providers, the RRC, public safety, public health, and emergency management agencies within the region.
Located in Brewer Maine in the Cianchette Building at 43 Whiting Hill Road, the Regional Resource Center also coordinates and offers educational programs to area partners that includes Hospital Awareness & Operations (HAZWOPER) training, NIMS and HICS training, planning & participating in community drills and exercises and offering the Public Health Emergency Prepardedness Lecture Series.
PENOBSCOT COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Prepares for and coordinates all emergency functions other than functions for which military forces or other federal agencies are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from, disasters. EMA promotes the mitigation of, preparation for, the response to, and the recovery from emergencies and disasters impacting the public, government, and business of the communities in Penobscot County. Penobscot County Emergency Management will activate Penobscot County ARES. Self activation of members is highly discouraged.
Penobscot County EMA is under the direction of Michelle Tanguay.
Penobscot County EMA is under the direction of Michelle Tanguay.
THE ACADIA HOSPITAL
The primary mission of The Acadia Hospital and Acadia Healthcare is the provision of both hospital-based and community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment services to the people of Maine. Acadia is a non-profit acute care hospital and community mental health agency offering many different services.
- Acute care beds
- Adult units
- Child/Adolescent unit
- Day hospital programs for all ages
- Substance abuse services
- Specialized outpatient programs for specific illnesses
- Outpatient clinic in Bangor providing consultation, therapy and medication
management services - Care coordination (community support) services
- Psychiatric Observation Unit
- Pediatric and Family Center
EASTERN MAINE MEDICAL CENTER
Located in Bangor, Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) serves communities throughout central, eastern, and northern Maine.
Under community direction, it has grown from a five-bed general hospital into a comprehensive, 411-bed medical center. The medical center and its medical staff of more than 300 physicians provide three-quarters of the primary-care hospital services offered in the Bangor area, as well as specialty and intensive services to the northern two-thirds of the state.
Our neighbors count on us as a resource for healthcare and health information, as a source of support and assistance for area physicians and other healthcare providers, and as a training ground for the health professionals of the future.
EMMC also provides outreach clinics to many local hospitals in the region, allowing easier access for patients and supporting the role of those hospitals in their communities.
EMMC is an American College of Surgeons verified Level II trauma center and host of Lifeflight of Maine, a statewide medical helicopter service that transports critically ill and injured patients.
Whoever they are, whatever their circumstances, Maine people know they can count on Eastern Maine Medical Center. We are committed to caring for everyone, even those who can't afford to pay. We stand ready, 24 hours a day. Because the way we see it, nothing should stand in the way of quality healthcare.
Under community direction, it has grown from a five-bed general hospital into a comprehensive, 411-bed medical center. The medical center and its medical staff of more than 300 physicians provide three-quarters of the primary-care hospital services offered in the Bangor area, as well as specialty and intensive services to the northern two-thirds of the state.
Our neighbors count on us as a resource for healthcare and health information, as a source of support and assistance for area physicians and other healthcare providers, and as a training ground for the health professionals of the future.
EMMC also provides outreach clinics to many local hospitals in the region, allowing easier access for patients and supporting the role of those hospitals in their communities.
EMMC is an American College of Surgeons verified Level II trauma center and host of Lifeflight of Maine, a statewide medical helicopter service that transports critically ill and injured patients.
Whoever they are, whatever their circumstances, Maine people know they can count on Eastern Maine Medical Center. We are committed to caring for everyone, even those who can't afford to pay. We stand ready, 24 hours a day. Because the way we see it, nothing should stand in the way of quality healthcare.
ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL
St. Joseph Hospital, under the umbrella of St. Joseph Healthcare, is a 112-bed acute care community hospital. Founded in 1947 by the Felician Sisters of Enfield, Connecticut, St. Joseph Healthcare's mission embodies wellness promotion and healing of the whole person – mind, body and spirit.
An Accredited, Modern Healthcare Facility
St. Joseph Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is licensed by the Maine Department of Human Services. It is a modern facility that includes
St. Joseph Healthcare employs more than 800 people in more than 30 departments. Our dedicated people extend the very best care to others by living our wholistic mission each and every day...a mission that encompasses compassion, competence and community.
An Accredited, Modern Healthcare Facility
St. Joseph Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is licensed by the Maine Department of Human Services. It is a modern facility that includes
- Patient Rooms, including Medical, Surgical/Orthopedic and Cardiopulmonary Care
- Emergency Department
- Surgery Center
- MRI and C-T Center;
- Radiology and Nuclear Medcine
- Cardiology Department
- Cardiac Cath Lab;
- Endoscopy Department
- Laboratory
- Pain Management
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Respiratory Care
- Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center
St. Joseph Healthcare employs more than 800 people in more than 30 departments. Our dedicated people extend the very best care to others by living our wholistic mission each and every day...a mission that encompasses compassion, competence and community.
DOROTHEA DIX PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center formerly known as Bangor Mental Health Institute located in Bangor, Maine is one of two State psychiatric hospitals under the Maine State Department of Health and Human Services. DDPC is a 100 bed psychiatric hospital serving two-thirds of the State's geographic area that provides services for people with severe mental illness. The Hospital is governed under laws established by the Maine Legislature to provide care and treatment for inpatients, both voluntary and court committed inpatients, as well as outpatients. DDPC is part of a comprehensive mental health system of services in Northern and Eastern Maine, which includes community mental health centers, private psychiatric and community hospitals and private providers.
PENOBSCOT VALLEY HOSPITAL
Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln has been serving the community for over 40 years with a wide variety of services and treatment options. We strive to provide the highest quality care in an efficient, caring, and professional manner.
It’s our goal to be your healthcare resource for all your needs. PVH is constantly adding and expanding services, and people are realizing they don’t need to travel far to get the care they need.
PVH is located within the beautiful, rural landscapes of Maine. Many people are drawn to our region because of the vast number of recreational opportunities throughout the year and the stunning change of seasons.
The hospital is located just 45 minutes north of the city of Bangor which features an abundance of restaurants, stores, museums, and other attractions.
Lincoln, itself hosts many charming shops and unique eateries with the convenience of a number of chain businesses. It’s just 30 minutes north of Maine’s flagship college campus—The University of Maine in Orono, which provides NCAA championship sports and a concert hall which draws nationally known acts.
A total of 13 lakes fill Lincoln’s 75 square miles, with Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, looming on the horizon. There are many reasons people stay in Lincoln. Not only is PVH a great area in which to start or continue a career, the region is a wonderful place to call home.
Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln has been serving the community for over 40 years with a wide variety of services and treatment options. We strive to provide the highest quality care in an efficient, caring, and professional manner.
It’s our goal to be your healthcare resource for all your needs. PVH is constantly adding and expanding services, and people are realizing they don’t need to travel far to get the care they need.
PVH is located within the beautiful, rural landscapes of Maine. Many people are drawn to our region because of the vast number of recreational opportunities throughout the year and the stunning change of seasons.
The hospital is located just 45 minutes north of the city of Bangor which features an abundance of restaurants, stores, museums, and other attractions.
Lincoln, itself hosts many charming shops and unique eateries with the convenience of a number of chain businesses. It’s just 30 minutes north of Maine’s flagship college campus—The University of Maine in Orono, which provides NCAA championship sports and a concert hall which draws nationally known acts.
A total of 13 lakes fill Lincoln’s 75 square miles, with Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, looming on the horizon. There are many reasons people stay in Lincoln. Not only is PVH a great area in which to start or continue a career, the region is a wonderful place to call home.
MILLINOCKET REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Millinocket Regional Hospital is a not for profit, 501C3 healthcare organization. The hospital corporation was founded in 1952 and the current hospital location was opened in 1955 as the Millinocket Community Hospital. The facility was again expanded in the mid-1970's and mid-1990's to meet community needs. A name change to the Millinocket Regional Hospital was made by the Board of Directors to better reflect our regional service area.
MRH is governed by a 17 member Board of Directors comprised of citizens of the service areas we serve. As the stewards of the community interest, the Board meets ten times per year to oversee the implementation of the strategic plans of the organization.
In 2002, MRH became a Critical Access Hospital(CAH). CAH is a special designation under the Medicare program, which affords enhanced reimbursement to facilities in very rural areas. Since becoming a CAH, MRH has employed a large portion of the region's providers, ensuring access to their needed services. Currently, MRH employs nine physicians and allied health professionals in our various medical and surgical clinics.
MRH primarily services the Katahdin Region of Millinocket, East Millinocket and Medway. Our providers attend outreach clinics in Patten and Lincoln attending to patients in our secondary service areas. MRH offers acute inpatient and outpatient hospital services including 24/7 emergency care, rehabilitative services including a swing bed program as well as outpatient physician services.
MRH has multiple locations including the main hospital campus at 200 Somerset Street, the White Birch Medical Center at 899 Central Street in Millinocket and the Ben Fiske Health Center located in Medway. Multiple office sites are also located adjacent to the main campus.
Millinocket Regional Hospital is a not for profit, 501C3 healthcare organization. The hospital corporation was founded in 1952 and the current hospital location was opened in 1955 as the Millinocket Community Hospital. The facility was again expanded in the mid-1970's and mid-1990's to meet community needs. A name change to the Millinocket Regional Hospital was made by the Board of Directors to better reflect our regional service area.
MRH is governed by a 17 member Board of Directors comprised of citizens of the service areas we serve. As the stewards of the community interest, the Board meets ten times per year to oversee the implementation of the strategic plans of the organization.
In 2002, MRH became a Critical Access Hospital(CAH). CAH is a special designation under the Medicare program, which affords enhanced reimbursement to facilities in very rural areas. Since becoming a CAH, MRH has employed a large portion of the region's providers, ensuring access to their needed services. Currently, MRH employs nine physicians and allied health professionals in our various medical and surgical clinics.
MRH primarily services the Katahdin Region of Millinocket, East Millinocket and Medway. Our providers attend outreach clinics in Patten and Lincoln attending to patients in our secondary service areas. MRH offers acute inpatient and outpatient hospital services including 24/7 emergency care, rehabilitative services including a swing bed program as well as outpatient physician services.
MRH has multiple locations including the main hospital campus at 200 Somerset Street, the White Birch Medical Center at 899 Central Street in Millinocket and the Ben Fiske Health Center located in Medway. Multiple office sites are also located adjacent to the main campus.
PENOBSCOT COUNTY REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
Penobscot County was incorporated in 1816 and the county seat is Bangor. The Penobscot River, Maine's longest, runs through the county. It is one of Maine's largest counties, covering over 3,250 square miles. The county borders Piscataquis County on the west and Washington and Hancock Counties on the east. Penobscot County has a population of 146,000 people.
The Penobscot Regional Communications Center is a Dispatch/Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) facility with enhance 9-1-1 capability, operated on a 24 hour basis, assigned the responsibility of receiving 9-1-1 calls and, as appropriate, directly dispatching emergency services or, through transfer routing or relay routing, passing 9-1-1 calls to public or private safety agencies for the citizens of Penobscot County. It is also the PSAP for 72,000 people who reside in Aroostook County which is the most northern county in the State of Maine. Staffing at PRCC consists of one Executive Director, one Administrative Assistant, five Supervisors, three Senior Operators, and twenty Communication Operators.
Communication Operators are required to pass an oral board, criminal record check and polygraph before they are hired. They will then go through a Field Training Operator program which lasts anywhere from three to six months. Certifications that are mandated include:
Working in a PSAP/Dispatch Center is very fast paced and highly stressful. You must be able to multi-task and make split second decisions. PRCC handles approximately 180 E9-1-1 calls and 800 calls on the in house telephone each day. We do over 4000 EMD's a month and are responsible for the dispatching of ninety one agencies in Penobscot County. Dispatchers are required to work shift work, weekends and on holidays. When disasters happen, dispatchers are required to work when most people are with their families. Dispatchers are the first ones to be notified of a problem and then dispatch the appropriate agencies to respond. They are the true "unsung heros" of public safety.
Penobscot County was incorporated in 1816 and the county seat is Bangor. The Penobscot River, Maine's longest, runs through the county. It is one of Maine's largest counties, covering over 3,250 square miles. The county borders Piscataquis County on the west and Washington and Hancock Counties on the east. Penobscot County has a population of 146,000 people.
The Penobscot Regional Communications Center is a Dispatch/Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) facility with enhance 9-1-1 capability, operated on a 24 hour basis, assigned the responsibility of receiving 9-1-1 calls and, as appropriate, directly dispatching emergency services or, through transfer routing or relay routing, passing 9-1-1 calls to public or private safety agencies for the citizens of Penobscot County. It is also the PSAP for 72,000 people who reside in Aroostook County which is the most northern county in the State of Maine. Staffing at PRCC consists of one Executive Director, one Administrative Assistant, five Supervisors, three Senior Operators, and twenty Communication Operators.
Communication Operators are required to pass an oral board, criminal record check and polygraph before they are hired. They will then go through a Field Training Operator program which lasts anywhere from three to six months. Certifications that are mandated include:
- Emergency Medical Dispatch
- Certified Terminal Operator
- E9-1-1 Vesta training
- Obtain License through the Maine Emergency Medical Services
Working in a PSAP/Dispatch Center is very fast paced and highly stressful. You must be able to multi-task and make split second decisions. PRCC handles approximately 180 E9-1-1 calls and 800 calls on the in house telephone each day. We do over 4000 EMD's a month and are responsible for the dispatching of ninety one agencies in Penobscot County. Dispatchers are required to work shift work, weekends and on holidays. When disasters happen, dispatchers are required to work when most people are with their families. Dispatchers are the first ones to be notified of a problem and then dispatch the appropriate agencies to respond. They are the true "unsung heros" of public safety.
