By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but it now appears that momentum is increasing to finally create a full-time substation of the Biddeford Fire Department somewhere on the eastern side of the city.

According to Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the overall goal is to reduce emergency response times in areas from the intersections of the Guinea Road, easterly, along both Pool and West streets, toward the coastal neighborhoods of Hills Beach, Granite Point, Fortunes Rocks and Biddeford Pool.

During an interview with the Gazette last week, Best said he is looking at multiple location options.

Two of the most talked about options include converting the privately-owned Biddeford Pool volunteer firehouse; and purchasing a parcel of land now owned by the University of New England (UNE) near the intersection of Pool Street and Newtown Road.

A little more than three years ago, former mayor Alan Casavant created a committee taskforce to review potential sites and various ways to improve emergency response times.

Ward One City Councilor Pat Boston represents that part of the city, a role she held previously before taking a hiatus from serving on the council.

Boston also served on the task force created by Casavant.

“It was always about response times, and that is what drove the bulk of our conversations,” she said.

Best told the Gazette that emergency response times should not exceed a window of more than four to six minutes, at least 90 percent of the time for all calls.

Best also says that the easterly part of the city has seen an increase in demand for service, including an average of 160 calls per year from the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.

Boston quoted former city councilor Norman Belanger, saying that public safety is one of the three major functions the city should provide.

“Response times are important,” Boston said. “But it’s also important to remember that there is a substantial cost involved. Whichever option we choose we need to make sure that choice addresses both current and future needs.”

Boston says she likes the idea of converting the Biddeford Pool Fire station into a full-time, 24-7 substation staffed and operated by the city, but said she is also keeping an open mind about other potential locations.

Best describes the 30-acre parcel owned by UNE as his ‘Plan A” site but concedes that there are several potential issues that could limit or prevent future development.

“That site has some vernal pools and wetlands that would not be appropriate for development,” Best said. “As the fire chief, it is my responsibility to keep an eye out for all the options.”

Best said there would be a significant cost associated with converting the privately owned Biddeford Pool fire station into a full-time “livable station.”

“We are not having any formal discussions with the Biddeford Pool Improvement Association at this time, Best said. “I have had a couple of high-level concept discussions, but nothing formal.”

He says that the Biddeford Pool option would not necessarily meet the objectives of reducing response times in other parts of eastern Biddeford, including homes along the Guinea Road and Hills Beach Road, which cuts through UNE’s campus.

Best made a detailed presentation about the ongoing discussions and goals of creating an eastern fire substation a few weeks ago during the Dec. 16 Biddeford City Council meeting.

Best told the council that the UNE property continues to be the preferred location for a substation given its location and travel routes. “A majority of the fire/EMS calls in this area can be reached from this location within the national standard response time of four to six minutes,” he said.

Where are we, and where do we want to go?

Best joined the Biddeford Fire Department as its new chief in 2023.

The city’s Central Fire station still lives up to its name today because of its central location even as the city expands in both an easterly and westerly direction, Best said.

Today, Best describes his department as “fully staffed” with a total of 52 full-time employees, including 48 employees trained as both firefighters and paramedics, including EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians).

“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money,” Best said. “All of our firefighters have dual training. This gives us the flexibility we need to handle every call for service.”

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“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money.”

— Fire Chief Larry Best

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Current response times to the eastern part of the city can take 12 to 14 minutes. “That is a long time to wait if you’re in an emergency situation,” Best said.

Best said Biddeford has “outstanding” mutual aid agreements in place with several surrounding communities.

“This job requires me to be vigilant and always scanning the horizon for new opportunities and planning ahead for potential challenges,” he said.

Best said he is looking forward to an upcoming workshop meeting with the mayor and city council.

“A workshop meeting is a more relaxed setting than a regular council meeting,” Best said. “This will give the council an opportunity to ask questions and for us to make sure that they have all the information they need or want.”

Editor’s Note: You may view and/or download the Dec. 16 presentation to the city by clicking the link below.

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved.

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