By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Federal, state and local emergency personnel responded Sept. 11, 2001, and in the days that followed, working to save lives, recovering the bodies of those lost and trying to piece together what happened and how to prevent acts of terrorism, such as the tragedies that unfolded in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Penn., that fateful September morning 10 years ago.
Since that day, emergency personnel have worked diligently to improve and enhance services, with much-needed Department of Homeland Security grants being used for training and equipment.
The effects have been far-reaching, with increased security measures now the norm for public safety officials here in Aroostook County and beyond. Departments have undergone numerous changes over the past 10 years, from equipment upgrades to added training of personnel.
Taking training to highest level
Ed Christie, a game warden with the Maine Warden Service in Aroostook County, said border security has become a priority for his department, since so much of the Maine border with Canada is along unorganized, heavily wooded territory that falls under MWS jurisdiction.
“I was home finishing my paperwork and I had the news on. That evening, Warden Brad Richard and I decided to work in the Van Buren area. We attempted to stop an ATV that passed us — he took off. Within an hour, we arrested him and took him to jail. He was a Canadian citizen that had ridden the ATV across the bridge. He had no ID, the ATV was not registered and he was an habitual offender,” said Christie. “He left with Border Patrol.”
Christie said his department began receiving Homeland Security funds around 2006.
“It was not until 2006 or 2007 before we started receiving Homeland Security funds. Up to that point — and still — Maine game wardens continue to patrol the international border (with Canada) as we have done for the last 136 years,” said Christie.
He said there’s always plenty of work, despite tough economic times.
“With budget cuts and reduced manpower, we still have to detail wardens along the Quebec border from St. Pamphile down to Daaquam,” he said.
Grant money has been put to good use by the department, allowing for equipment upgrades.
“The Warden Service has been able to purchase a few snowmobiles and ATVs, along with other equipment, using Homeland Security funds,” Christie said.
Christie said training is the key to public safety.
“The training has progressed since I started full-time with the Warden Service 12 years ago. As a member of the Maine Warden Service Firearms Training Team, we have always taken our training to the highest level,” said Christie.
He acknowledged that training needs to be a priority from now on.
“With the change in society, training and education must progress rapidly to keep officers alive, so we can protect and keep safe the people of the state of Maine, as well as the citizens of the United States of America,” Christie said.