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PHOTO: Clockwise, from top left, William Wallace jr., Eric Watson, Robert Grayton, Brady Downing, Hannah Maurais and Cory Higgins. (Submitted photos)
LEWISTON – The Lewiston Fire Department recently announced promotions as well as the addition of two new firefighters.
William Wallace Jr., has been promoted to fire captain on C shift. Wallace has spent more than 10 years as lieutenant of Engine 7A shift at Central Station. He is a Maine state fire instructor specializing in fire pumps and water supply, a certified fire officer II, firefighter II, and fire instructor II. He is also a licensed EMT as well as hazmat technician. He’s also a participant in the department’s Grave Marker Committee, which places memorial flags annually for fallen firefighters and retired members.
Eric Watson has been promoted to lieutenant. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Sabattus/Lisbon at age 18 before joining the Lewiston department in 2011. Watson is a Southern Maine Community College graduate with an associate degree in fire science. Watson has worked with contractors and Code Enforcement on getting buildings to train in before they are demolished. With those buildings, he has taught roof ventilation and forcible entry specialty training. He also works for the Maine Fire Service Institute, assisting to build the state’s advanced force and soon-to-be ventilation program. He also is on-call with the Maine Forest Service and has most recently been deployed to California, Colorado, West Virginianand Washington.
Robert Gayton has been promoted to lieutenant on Engine 3-A Platoon. He began his career in Sabattus in 2004. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Maine Farmington, as well as an associate degree in fire science from Southern Maine Community College. He joined the Lewiston Fire Department in 2011 as a firefighter on Engine 5, and is vice president of Local 785 International Association of Fire Fighters. He has also been involved with the LFD Rookie School and Honor Guard , is peer advisor and Critical Incident Stress Management team member. Gayton also swas an adjunct professor for SMCC’s Fire Science Program for eight years.
Cory Higgins, a third-generation firefighter, was promoted to Lieutenant. He started his fire-fighting career at age 18 and was joined the Lewiston Fire Department in 2011. He enjoys teaching and mentoring new firefighters. He attended Southern Maine Community College for fire science work for the federal government as a summer wildlife firefighter.
Hannah Maurais and Brady Downing have both joined the Lewiston Fire Department.
Maurais, of Windham, graduated from Southern Maine Community College with a degree in fire science in 2020 and also has a Basic EMT license.
Downing, of Poland, has a fire service family background. He is a Southern Maine Community College graduate with a degree in fire science and holds an Advanced-EMT license.
