Eleven years after he died fighting a fiery blast at Portland Welding, Capt. Robert Wallingford Jr. was honored Sunday in an emotional ceremony at the tiny Firefighters Memorial Park, off Main Street in South Portland.

Wallingford’s widow, Linda, and other family members watched city leaders dedicate a black granite bench in memory of Wallingford, the only South Portland firefighter to die in the line of duty.

Mayor Claude Morgan proclaimed Sept. 9 “Robert E. Wallingford Jr. Day” to commemorate the nation’s fallen firefighters.

Wallingford suffered a massive heart attack on Aug. 27, 1996, when a four-alarm blaze broke out at the Spring Point welding company – one of the worst fires in city history. More than 200 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which triggered dozens of explosions and fireballs from metal gas tanks stored at the welding company’s warehouse. No one else was hurt from the fire.

“Not a week goes by that I don’t think about Bobby,” Fire Chief Kevin Guimond told the small crowd at Sunday’s ceremony, which included city leaders and members of Engine Co. 1, the fire company where Wallingford served as captain.

Engine Co. 1 is one of four on-call fire companies staffed with paid volunteers, who respond when additional firefighters are needed at an emergency.

When the welding company fire broke out in 1996, Wallingford had rushed from his job as a city diesel mechanic to Portland Welding Supply Co. An explosive fire had started in a storage room containing propane.

Wallingford was outside adjusting a nozzle on one of the fire truck’s tanks when a loud explosion inside the welding company startled him. He suffered a heart attack and collapsed to the ground, said Jane Grabler, Wallingford’s niece.

Wallingford’s three grown children – all firefighters with Engine Co. 1 at the time – were at his side. His son Robert, now a fire lieutenant in Lisbon, administered CPR. Wallingford, 47, died at Maine Medical Center.

Guimond, who helped fight the historic fire, emphasized the “positive work that has come from this tragedy.” He noted changes made to ensure the health and safety of firefighters after Wallingford’s death.

“We’ve come a long way,” Guimond said later in a phone interview. “The No. 1 killer to firefighters – other than the tragedy of 911 – is due to heart attacks.”

The department now requires firefighters to undergo mandatory physicals. Special attention is paid to blood pressure, respiratory function and maintaining a healthy weight.

The department also participates in National Stand Down Day for Firefighter Safety, which promotes physical fitness and health among fire-safety personnel.

Tom Blake, captain of Engine Co. 1, said Sunday that the fire department hopes the city will use the memorial park and granite bench for future services to honor the nation’s fallen firefighters.

The tiny park, located next to Pleasant Hill Auto Sales, was only established in 2002. A flagpole at the site is illuminated at night.

Other speakers Sunday remembered Wallingford’s dedication to the fire department as well as the city of South Portland.

The involvement of Wallingford’s extended family in the fire department also was highlighted. His nephews, John Grabler and George Grabler, work as firefighters at Engine Co. 1.

Wallingford served for three decades as a firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, Pat, who worked for Engine Co. 1 in the 1950s.

Wallingford also worked as a mechanic with the public works department for 23 years and was a member of the police reserves for 10 years.

In addition to the granite bench memorial, Wallingford is remembered through a $500 college scholarship in his name. The award is for students studying fire science or law enforcement at Southern Maine Community College.

(tribute2)Robert Wallingford’s widow, Linda, and her granddaughter, Renee, in front of the granite bench dedicated in his honor Sunday. Wallingford is the only South Portland firefighter ever to die in the line of duty.

Copy the Story Link