Ellsworth Fire Captain becomes the second recipient of memorial award
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – April 2nd, 2021 – Ellsworth Fire Captain Robert (Bobby) Dorr has been named the 2021 Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award winner. Dorr becomes the second recipient of the award, created in honor of heroic Berwick Fire Captain Joel Barnes, who lost his life in the line of duty in March of 2019.
The Mariners began accepting nominations last fall for the second annual award winner. They’re seeking active or recently retired Fire and EMS responders in the state of Maine with three or more years of service who “demonstrate outstanding professionalism and service to their community, and a commitment to promoting life safety education.”
WHO DECIDED
A committee made up of Mariners employees, Teamsters Local 340, and last year’s award winner, Matt St. Pierre of the Hampden Fire Department, narrowed it down to three finalists: Bobby Dorr, Mike Norton (South Portland Professional Firefighters), and Troy Cailler (Sabattus Fire Department).
Dorr is a member of the Ellsworth Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3402, where he is the lead instructor for the Hancock County Fire Academy. In January of 2020, Dorr was diagnosed with cancer but continues to serve as interim assistant chief. His diagnosis inspired the creation of the “FireFIGHTer 204” fundraiser, which intends to purchase particulate flash hoods for firefighters in Hancock County and beyond. Dorr has also been named Ellsworth Fire Department’s “Firefighter of the Year” three times.
“I am honored to have been nominated and selected to receive the 2021 Captain Joel Barnes award,” said Dorr. “To be held in the same category as such a great man is very humbling for me. I will do my very best to continue to earn this award throughout my career.”
The Mariners plan to formally present Dorr with the award at a home game in the fall, recognizing all three finalists.
REACTION
“It is important for our organization to continue recognizing local first responders and keeping the memory of Captain Barnes alive,” said Adam Goldberg, Mariners Vice President of Business Operations. “All of the award submissions highlighted amazing people that deserve recognition. Mr. Dorr is someone that makes the community proud and safe. I look forward to giving him proper recognition at an upcoming Mariners game as the 2nd winner of this community service award.”
Captain Joel Barnes was just 32 years old when he succumbed to his injuries on March 1st, 2019, after fighting a fire in Berwick and saving a fellow firefighter’s life. A public memorial service was held one week later at the Cross Insurance Arena, with over 7,000 attendees. Barnes had served with the Berwick Fire Department for two years and was the Department’s Training Safety Officer. The Captain Joel Barnes Community Service award was created in his memory the following fall. It was first awarded to Hampden firefighter Matt St. Pierre at a Mariners game on the first anniversary of Barnes’ death.
Hannaford presents the 2021-22 Mariners season To Go and will begin on October 22nd, with the home opener against the Worcester Railers, presented by Skowhegan Savings. Fans can put down a deposit of $50 on full-season tickets for the 2021-22 season here. Half season, 12-game mini-plans, and 10-ticket flex plans are also available for purchase, starting at $170. Single-game and group ticket information will be available in the coming months, as well as a full schedule. More information on ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or by visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.
