The Boothbay Fire Department is in good shape and has been honored by the Maine Department of Labor. On April 26, the fire department received the Bureau of Labor Standards Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE) at the Boothbay Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

The Bureau of Labor Standards serves as the state’s enforcement arm for public and quasi-public organizations. The award was created in 2005 to recognize municipal departments which display an exemplary job in the health and safety of its employees. The bureau has recognized 74 municipal departments in the past 12 years.

“This award is not given to everyone,” said Bureau Director Steven L. Greeley. “It’s an examination of the whole process through inspecting safety logs and equipment. You have a fabulous safety record. Congratulations!”

The bureau  reviewed the fire department’s OSHA 300 log which is used to document injuries and illnesses. The review also included department health and safety policies, training programs, fire station inspection, and employment record-keeping.

Fire Chief Dick Spofford accepted the award along with firefighters Matthew Wade, Joe Hall, Dave Pratt, Jack Barry, Gary Arsenault and David Steinmetz.