RANGELEY — The Rangeley Fire Department showed selectmen Tuesday pictures of a highway collision and a house fire to demonstrate firefighters’ expertise and the success of their recent training.

Fire Chief Tim Pellerin prepared the PowerPoint presentation, which showed a collision between a logging truck and a pickup truck Jan. 9 on the Morton Cut-off.  It required both sets of the Jaws of Life.

The fire was a log cabin on Furbish Road on Jan. 16, with Rangeley trucks arriving 12 minutes after the call. The crew was joined throughout the morning by others from Phillips, Eustis, Strong, and Farmington.

The fire started in the basement and spread quickly to the loft area of the 1½-story house, Pellerin said. The front door was unlocked, pointing to the possibility of victims inside, but the house was unoccupied and there were no injuries. The crews were at the scene until nearly 6 p.m. The house was declared a total loss.

“When the fire takes, log cabin homes go really fast,” Pellerin said. “And they’re built so well they hold the heat. The crews did a great job, and it really shows that the recent training pays off.”

Pellerin thanked the other departments and complimented Rangeley Police, Public Works and the NorthStar Ambulance crew.

The board praised responders to both events.

In related news, Town Manager Tiki White said research into Title 25 of the Maine Administrative Code showed that the board is allowed to grant authority to the fire chief and the code enforcement officer to enforce certain actions and handle certain complaints.

Previously, the two officers had to refer complaints and safety concerns to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Instead of waiting days for the state to issue an order, Pellerin said the new authority would allow him, for example, to order fire exits blocked by snow to be cleared immediately.

The board unanimously granted the authority.

A request to rename a spur of Russell Cove Road as Farmhouse Lane was sent back to the residents’ association with a request to discuss another name to avoid confusion with Farmhouse Inn for emergency responders.

The town’s audit was accepted as presented by RHR Smith and Co.

A department expense budget transfer would simplify payroll transfers between departments and was authorized, with a provision from Selectman Pam White that if employees work for another department, they should be paid from that department to keep expenses clear.

Selectman Gary Shaffer said the board has an interest in encouraging a pharmacy to return to town, and would like to be involved in the process.