In the public eye: Being able to make a positive difference is what motivates Windham Firefighter/EMT

Theresa Hall has been with the
Windham Fire/Rescue team since 2002.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Melissa Carter 

Firefighter/Paramedic Theresa Hall has dedicated more than three decades to serving her community, building a career rooted in compassion, public service, and a commitment to helping others during their most difficult moments.

Raised in Raymond and a graduate of Westbrook High School, Hall did not initially plan on entering the firefighter/EMT service field. That changed in 1993 when she witnessed an accident and later questioned whether she had responded in the best way possible. Wanting to learn more, she enrolled in an EMT class, joined the Raymond Fire Department, and began what would become a lifelong dedication to emergency services.

When Hall moved to Windham in 2002, she applied and was hired and has been with Windham Fire/Rescue ever since. Her duties as a Firefighter/Paramedic include protecting the public from fire hazards, providing emergency medical care, and offering safety education to the community. Although the tasks of the job are broad, what matters most to her is the ability to bring comfort, emotionally and physically, to people experiencing a crisis. “I take pride in knowing that even brief interactions can make a meaningful difference during someone’s hardest day.” Hall said.

Hall acknowledges that the work comes with challenges, and for her, heights have always been among them. “I am not a fan of ladders. The older I get the more I do not like heights,” Hall admits. This does not deter her commitment to serving the public and she responds wherever she is needed even if it makes her nervous. This attitude reflects the dedication and professionalism she brings to every call.

One aspect of the job she wishes the public better understood is the reality of staffing levels in a growing community. Many assume that a large number of firefighters and paramedics are always available, but Windham operates its two stations with a minimum of just five responders on duty each day. As call volume approaches more than 4,000 annually, the workload continues to grow. Hall emphasizes how essential the town’s per-diem staff, call company, live-in students, and mutual aid partners are in maintaining consistent emergency coverage. The department’s ability to meet demand relies heavily on teamwork and regional cooperation.

Throughout her years in emergency services, Hall has accumulated countless memorable experiences, but the moments that stay with her most are the conversations that happen in the back of the ambulance. “Patients often share personal reflections during transport, offering insight into their lives during vulnerable moments,” Hall said. “These conversations have provided lessons and made a lasting impact that have helped shape my approach to both my work and the people I serve”.

Beyond her duties on calls, Hall plays an important role in training future emergency medical providers. She teaches EMT classes twice a year through United Training Center at Windham’s Central Fire Station. With Maine experiencing an ongoing shortage of EMTs, she considers it meaningful work to prepare new providers to enter the field. “Helping students gain knowledge, confidence, and skill is a responsibility I value,” Hall said. She views education as another extension of her commitment to public safety.

Hall’s connection to the fire service also runs through her family. Her father is a retired South Portland firefighter, and her husband, Steve, retired from the Portland Fire Department before becoming the Call Company Deputy Fire Chief in Windham. A nephew also serves with Portland Fire. With such strong family ties, her two children, Jack and Grace, grew up immersed in the rhythms of the fire service lifestyle, viewing it as a natural part of daily life. “Over the years, our entire family has learned to balance schedules, holidays, and the unpredictable nature of emergency work, offering support for one another along the way,” Hall said.

Another aspect of Windham Fire/Rescue that Hall wants residents to know surrounds their live-in student program. The town currently hosts seven students enrolled in Southern Maine Community College’s Fire Science program. These students live in the firehouse while attending school, responding to emergency calls, training alongside career staff, and gaining hands-on experience that extends far beyond classroom learning. “Over time, they become an important part of the crew and contribute significantly to the department’s daily operations,” Hall said. “We couldn’t do it without them”.

Looking back on her career, Hall reflects on one lesson that stands above the rest: the importance of treating everyone with kindness and empathy. “Emergency calls involve people experiencing a range of emotions, and not every individual is calm or appreciative when responders arrive,” Hall said, “but I believe every call offers an opportunity to make a positive difference. I love my job, the people I work with, and I love the town of Windham. This is truly the greatest job in the world”.  <