SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – An investment of $60,000 from South Portland’s Pleasantdale Hose Company Three to the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Foundation will benefit SMCC full- and part-time students in the College’s public safety programs.
Pleasantdale Hose Company Three established the endowed scholarship in memory of all who served the company from 1893-2015.
The South Portland Pleasantdale Engine Company Three was organized in late 1893 and consolidated with the Thornton Heights Company in 2005. The company’s original location was on Turner’s Island in South Portland but was moved around to suit the city’s needs as neighborhoods changed. The company’s final home was on Robinson Street.
South Portland Deputy Fire Chief William Collins said this scholarship was essential to create to help Maine’s future firefighters.
“We feel it’s important to give back to Mainers to help them begin careers that will serve the state for generations to come,” Collins said.
SMCC President Joe Cassidy echoed the importance of helping grow the first responder ranks in Maine.
“This scholarship is coming at a critical time for the first responder workforce,” Cassidy said. “At our core, our mission is to improve the lives of our students and their communities. This scholarship will help fill critical staffing needs by training and placing our students in these essential first responder roles.”
To find out more about the history of the South Portland Fire Department, visit their website at https://www.southportland.org/departments/fire-department/.