BIDDEFORD — Since 1996, when a vessel has an emergency offshore or a hunter is lost in the woods in the Biddeford-Saco area, local pilots take to the skies from the Biddeford Municipal Airport to find the person, keeping tabs on them until the appropriate agency can respond.
The pilots “have been more than happy to lend their support,” said Saco Fire Chief John Duross, and this method has worked well for years.
Now, fire departments in Biddeford and Saco are seeking to formalize the agreement with the pilots. On June 17, Biddeford City Council members were asked to consider an ordinance that would see the city enter an agreement with the Biddeford Regional Airport Coalition, known as BRAC. If passed, the agreement calls for members of BRAC to provide volunteer aerial support in locating people and/or boats in emergencies.
The Biddeford council voted to table the measure until wording of the agreement could be revised. Duross said he expects the Saco City Council to vote on the agreement sometime this summer.
According to its website, the mission of BRAC, a nonprofit organization formed in January, is to help preserve, maintain and promote the Biddeford Municipal Airport as an economic development asset to Biddeford and the surrounding area.
BRAC Executive Director Chris Griffith said pilots with the organization are seeking to use the airport as an asset to businesses, but the first customers that came were the Biddeford and Saco fire departments, he said.
Pilots have agreed to provide the air spotting service when they’re available, on a volunteer basis, said Griffith.
Other local fire departments such as Old Orchard Beach, Arundel and Kennebunkport, have also expressed interest in using the service, he said.
The proposed agreement received mixed reviews from the public.
“As a fellow pilot, I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said resident Rev. Derek White. “It’s a wonderful use of the airport.”
But long-time airport opponent Richard Rhames had a different view. He called BRAC a political action committee, whose purpose “is to support funding and expansion of the airport.”
“The council is being asked to bless this organization that has an agenda,” said Rhames.
Many of the council members who spoke on the issue supported the city using the volunteer air spotting service.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Council President John McCurry, adding that he didn’t know why a contract with the council was needed.
Councilor Michael Ready said he also didn’t think the council needed to weigh in on the issue. The fire department and BRAC should be able to reach an agreement without a council vote, he said.
“That was discussed,” said Mayor Alan Casavant. “Out of courtesy to the council, this was brought forward,” he said.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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