Fire Safety is a huge concern for people across the nation.
Whether one lives in a huge city with a fully staffed fire department or a small rural area with a minimum staff and a huge volunteer fire department, having the equipment plus training is an absolute necessity for everyone.The Arkansas Fire Training Academy is the official fire training institution for the state of Arkansas. The main campus is located on the grounds of Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, Arkansas. The Academy offers both in-house and remote training with certification for firefighters.
Small rural communities face challenges; Fire trucks fully equipped, trained personnel and water.
In the small rural community of Holiday Island the fire department is operated by the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID).
In 2023, the HISID board of commissioners (BOC) faced the challenge of a huge upgrade in its fleet of fire trucks and equipment.
In 2023, the HISID board of commissioners (BOC) faced the challenge of a huge upgrade in its fleet of fire trucks and equipment.
Years of neglect or just "kick it down the road mentality" roared NOW!
A former Fire Chief was straight forward upon arrival accessing the inadequate department. The replacement Fire Chief had all his notes and presented the same conclusion.
A former Fire Chief was straight forward upon arrival accessing the inadequate department. The replacement Fire Chief had all his notes and presented the same conclusion.
A preliminary evaluation for the upcoming end-of-the-year ISO rating drove the community to insist on taking action.
"An ISO fire rating is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The score reflects how prepared a community and area is for fires." Bank Rate
Within six months, four fire trucks, new fire hoses plus equipment for each truck, necessary equipment for a water rescue boat, radios, tires, uniforms, etc. with a spending of nearly $300K in a six month time period. This was a necessary expense for the Health and Safety of not only the community but, the surrounding communities that depend on mutual aide.
Once the proper fire fighting vehicles and equipment were at the community fire stations, the recruitment began and continues.
The local community, Holiday Island Fire Department (HIFD) currently includes a Fire Chief and three shift commanders consisting of an Assistant Chief and two Lieutenants. All are certified Firefighter 2 (FF2) and interior firefighting qualified.
The HIFD part-time firefighters consists of nine interior qualified firefighters, which is a significant increase of eight interior qualified firefighters in the last six months.
The volunteer staff totals 25 personnel that includes two interior certified firefighters, two driver/operators, and 13 exterior firefighters and eight fire fighting support volunteers.
When asked How is the Health of the Fire Department currently?
District Manager Danny Presley replied, "The overall health of the HIFD is good in many aspects, however, HIFD needs more volunteers who are willing and able to meet the physical demands and rigorous training required for interior firefighting. We understand the commitment that is required of volunteers but, without the participation of younger volunteers, our goals are more difficult to achieve."
The HIFD part-time firefighters consists of nine interior qualified firefighters, which is a significant increase of eight interior qualified firefighters in the last six months.
The volunteer staff totals 25 personnel that includes two interior certified firefighters, two driver/operators, and 13 exterior firefighters and eight fire fighting support volunteers.
When asked How is the Health of the Fire Department currently?
District Manager Danny Presley replied, "The overall health of the HIFD is good in many aspects, however, HIFD needs more volunteers who are willing and able to meet the physical demands and rigorous training required for interior firefighting. We understand the commitment that is required of volunteers but, without the participation of younger volunteers, our goals are more difficult to achieve."
Chief Ates contact info is located at the HIFD website page.
"As an elder, giving support to younger citizens places my stories into the position of the Mentor and Storyteller" Circle the Wagons
