‘Going above and beyond’

March 08-- Mar. 8--BERWICK, Maine -- Capt. Joel Barnes was more than just a firefighter.

That was the message from his colleague, Berwick Fire Capt. Travis Doiron, who spoke about Barnes on Friday, one week after Barnes was killed in the line of duty fighting an apartment fire.

Doiron said his friend was always willing to go "above and beyond" what was expected. He told a story about a time Barnes responded to a medical call, then stayed and shoveled, salted and sanded the homeowner's front walk.

"Just going above and beyond what was expected from a firefighter in town," Doiron said of Barnes. "He'd stop anything he was doing to help this community (out), whether it was responding to emergencies or helping at the library with reading to kids during storytime."

The cause of the four-alarm fire at 10 Bell Street remains under investigation. Barnes has been hailed a hero by his department, credited with giving his life to save that of another firefighter. Four other firefighters were hurt in the fire. All four were released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries.

Berwick Fire Chief Dennis Plante said Barnes was hired in 2016 and immediately went to work taking over the department's training program and helping with its community outreach efforts, often speaking at schools and giving tours of the fire department to youth groups.

"The kids loved him," Plante said. "He loved dealing with the public. He spent a lot of time in doing fire prevention in the schools. He was just an overall good person and I'm truly going to miss Joel."

Doiron described Barnes as his "right-hand man."

"He was a great leader and mentor to the whole department," Doiron said. "He really led by example. He made sure he was at the top of his game and ready to go and make sure the other firefighters below him were ready to go and at the top of their game."

Barnes had an easy-going nature, Doiron said, but was a stickler for detail -- Doiron said Barnes was the one who made sure there were no water spots on the trucks after they were rinsed off.

"He was one very laid-back and easy-going kind of guy," Doiron said. "He'd make sure he'd be into work on time and be ready to go. He liked to pay attention to details."

Doiron expressed thanks on behalf of the Berwick Fire Department for the support it has received since Barnes's death.

"It's been nonstop, coming in and out of this station," Doiron said. "Whether it's covering the station so our residents have some assistance or the (firefighters) staying with Joel at the funeral home."

"Joel is a true hero," Plante said.

Funeral Services

Barnes will be laid to rest on Sunday following a series of memorial services. A public service will be held at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland at 11 a.m., which will be bookended by private ceremonies.

Steve Benotti, Fire Chief for Sanford, said "countless" hours have gone into planning Sunday's service.

Benotti said a motorcade carrying Barnes's remains will arrive at the corner of High Street and Spring Street, near the arena, at around 10:30 a.m. From there, a procession led by bagpipes will escort Barnes's remains to the arena.

The public memorial service will last about an hour, Benotti said. The motorcade will then carry Barnes's remain to Calvary Cemetery in South Portland for a private service.

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