From Town of Gorham

GORHAM – Ken Fickett, a 47-year veteran of the Gorham Fire Department, was recently appointed as Chief of the department by Gorham Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak.

Fickett served as the acting chief following the August retirement of Robert Lefebvre, who stepped down after 41 years with the department, Fickett will serve as the second full time Fire Chief for the Town of Gorham since 1987.

Chief Fickett’s career in the Fire Service started with the Call Company for Gorham Fire in 1974. He became a full time firefighter/EMT with the department in 1999. He served as Call Company Deputy Chief from 1989 through 2001, and as full time Deputy Chief since 2001.

Raised in Gorham, Chief Fickett completed his post-secondary education at SMCC, SMVTI, the National Fire Academy and additional fire science coursework at numerous schools across Maine and New Hampshire.

He attributes his passion for the Fire Service field to his two older siblings who entered the fire service field early in life, and to the late Westbrook Fire Chief Byron Rogers and retired Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre.

Among his initial goals, Chief Fickett said he aims to maintain and encourage Call Company participation and service through continual professional development and training. He said there is a critical role that the Call service and full time staff play by working together to provide public safety for the Town of approximately 17,978 (2019 U.S. Census population estimates).

Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, Gorham Fire and Rescue responded to 2,771 calls through the collaboration of 10 full time personnel and 100 Call Company members.

Fickett said he will work to ensure a smooth transition in new role, to support the first responders wherever possible as the coummunity pushes through the pandemic.

“Chief Fickett brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the position,” Town Manager Paraschak said. “He has led the Gorham Fire Department through some of the worst months of the recent pandemic, and I have the utmost faith that he will continue to lead the department through any future challenges.”

Fickett lives in Gorham with his wife and three dogs – two goldendoodles and a poodle.