“They had the idea of putting the ladder truck and ambulance in the photo.  We had a great time and even stopped traffic in Cape Porpoise. Everyone was watching!”

Sarah Beard grew up in southern West Virginia. She moved to the Kennebunks with her husband, Dan, as a newlywed in 1962. Over the past 46 years, Sarah Beard has been integrally involved in multiple facets of the community. She volunteered for 24 years (1980-2004) with Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services (KEMS) as a longtime CPR instructor and training officer and for six years as Intermediate Level Chief. At Kennebunkport’s Consolidated School, she taught CPR and First Aid, was an assistant to the school nurse, and volunteered as a reading helper, majorette advisor and costume designer for the school’s musicals and plays.

As a member of South Congregational Church, Beard has sung in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served on the board of trustees. She even assisted with the church’s Men’s Club for more than 20 years.  Her volunteering extends to the kitchen as well. She has cooked for countless community events, bean suppers for the Conservation Trust, and the annual dinners held at the Arundel Yacht club.

She has also chaired the Keith McClelland Scholarship Fund, a program in memory of a beloved music teacher that provides area youth in grades K-8 financial assistance for music lessons. 

For the exhibition, Sarah Beard loaned her EMT jump kit used when on call with KEMS.

Dan Beard grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He first came to the Kennebunks on a family vacation with his mother and grandfather in 1954. Beard professes to have “salt water in his blood” and knew after that trip that he had to live near the coast. He and his wife Sarah ultimately moved to the Kennebunks in 1962.

He joined the Cape Porpoise Fire Department the following year and has been a member ever since, serving as its chief for more than 25 years. He designed and helped construct the addition to the Cape Porpoise Fire Station.

Beard is a founding member of Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services (KEMS) and served as its chief for two years and as an intermediate level CPR instructor. He taught CPR and First Aid in Kennebunkport’s Consolidated School and conducted the School Awareness annual fire training.

Beard’s civic involvement included six years as a Maine School Administrative District #71 school board member and nine years as a member of the Kennebunkport Budget Board. He assisted in developing plans for the municipal Police/Communications building in Kennebunkport and, along with his wife, has been a member of the Keith McClelland Scholarship Fund.

Exhibited alongside the photograph is Dan Beard’s turnout coat and chief’s helmet for the Cape Porpoise Fire Department. In the case is a faceplate given by the Kittredge brothers to Dan Beard, when he first became chief.

“The Kennebunks represent. . .
HOME
Where we began and still share our life together,
Where we raised our children,
Where our children and grandchildren still love to be,
Where community activities enriched and embraced us,
Where people still know their neighbors and take care of each other,
Where we can still see the stars at night and hear the sounds of the sea.”