OWLS HEAD — A bugle? To honor a firefighter?

In 2020, Jim Philbrook retired from the Owls Head Volunteer Fire Department after 45 years. Due to the “biggest disaster no one could foresee” (a Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown), OHFD couldn’t give Philbrook the send off party he deserved.

When people leave, “we don’t let them leave quietly if we can help it,” said Asst. Chief John Gamage. “We had dinner plans, and then we had to postpone it again, and then the stricter Covid rules came out and we had to postpone it yet again.”

Three years later, on August 20, 2023, the fire department and community members happened to be gathered for another retirement celebration inside the Maintenance Garage of the Knox County Regional Airport, in Owls Head.

Moments before Frank Ross, fire chief of 44 years, stepped out of the top role, Ross conducted a final act as Chief. He honored his friend and career-long colleague with a retirement gift.

“He retired a few years back, but it seems like yesterday to us,” said Gamage.

Philbrook joined the department as a Junior Firefighter in 1977 and eventually rose through the ranks, landing as assistant chief before dropping back to lieutenant. Philbrook recognized that others would need to know how to lead, so he focused on developing tomorrow’s leaders. He had a knack for explaining high-verbiage policies and procedures in a way that could “dumb it down so that even the least skilled person could look like a seasoned professional, said Gamage. 

The fireman's bugle (also referred to as a horn) signifies leadership of long ago. Typically a lieutenant wore one bugle on their uniform. (Captain wore two; Assistant Chief – three; Deputy Chief – four; and the chief wore five)

In the early days, this was how commands were issued on the fire ground.

“Jimmy always led from the front as a calm and studious leader,” said Gamage.

At the dinner, Philbrook recounted arriving to his first fire. He rode with the fire chief, Elmer Small. They got their rubber coats and their rubber boots.

“We get up to this trailer, and the flames are rolling up out,” said Philbrook. “I said ‘Chief, what to you want me to do?’”

The Chief’s response: “Get in there and put out the fire.”

Bugle or no bugle, for 45 years, Jim Philbrook did just that.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com