A new hovercraft to be shared by the sister cities of Bangor and Brewer is proof that regionalization is happening locally, Fire Chief Rick Bronson said at Monday's Brewer City Council meeting.

When applying for Maine Emergency Management Agency funding last year, the agency determined that "such a device would have a real purpose in this area," said Bronson, who added that MEMA was unwilling to give funds individually to both Bangor and Brewer.

City personnel from both cities worked together on a compromise and decided that the 19-foot 3-inch hovercraft, which can carry up to 1,200 pounds, would be housed in Brewer, but training and staffing would be accomplished through Bangor, Bronson said.

"It hovers 2 feet above the surface - pavement or ice," the Brewer chief said.

The craft, which is expected to cost MEMA approximately $60,000, is a good emergency tool to have on hand for rescues on the Penobscot River and Kenduskeag Stream, the Brewer chief said. Bronson did not say how much in matching funds, if any, would be required from either city.

"Bangor & Brewer Fire Departments" lettering will identify the craft.

"That's alphabetical order," Bronson joked.

A copyright article from the Bangor Daily News, Tuesday, November 8, 2005.