WHEREAS, for over 250 years, the Portland Fire Department has protected the City and its residents by fighting fires, responding to accidents, assisting with medical emergencies, and much more; and

WHEREAS, Portland firefighters display immense courage and bravery daily as they run toward danger to protect residents and help them in their times of need; and

WHEREAS, on the evening of December 26, 2025, Portland firefighters responded to a raging fire on the historic Custom House Wharf, an operation that included all of Portland's fire crews along with mutual aid from surrounding towns; and

WHEREAS, firefighters bravely battled the blaze while facing multiple complicated challenges, such as access to the wharf, frigid temperatures, and potential for structural collapse; and

WHEREAS, thanks to the swift response of the Portland Fire Department and its mutual aid partners, the fire was prevented from spreading to additional businesses and the other side of the wharf, and ultimately brought under control in fewer than two hours; and

WHEREAS, the waterfront community supported these effortsthroughout the evening by providing hot food, coffee and warm space to firefighters, along with towing boats away from the fire to limit damage and mobilizing a tugboat crew to assist; and

WHEREAS, in this dark moment for the working waterfront,we are truly grateful for the strength and resilience of the firefighters, neighboring businesses and the entire community as they come together to heal and rebuild from this tragedy;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby recognize the

Portland Fire Department

and its mutual aid partners for their valiant efforts to extinguish the fire on Custom House Wharf and for their dedication to serving Portland residents and the entire State of Maine.