Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dear John . . . Letters To Our Editor

Dear Editor,

It was with interest that I read your article about the Prescott Fire Department. As a veteran fire fighter. I am a certified training officer, certified adjunct instructor, and a fire prevention specialist. The only way the insurance service organization will come into Prescott to grade the city is for the mayor to request the town grading.

As for a adequate meeting room, I would think the school system or a church would provide your local and county firemen a place to meet. Firefighting is the most dangerous occupation there is in the world; more firefighters are killed annually than law enforcement personnel.

It is easy to meet the minimum hours for local fire departments. A new firefighter has to have the introductory course, the self-contained breathing and the wild-land course that is taught by the State Forestry Commission. The first two courses are taught by the Arkansas Fire Academy at no charge to the local fire departments. For information about training from the Arkansas Fire Academy contact Mr. Jeff Fortney at the academy, 870-574-1521. The mailing address is Arkansas Fire Academy, P.O. Box 3499, Camden, AR 71702.

Your fire equipment needs to be in a secure building. The equipment is very expensive. I would think that the city would want to provide that for the fire department. There are grants or matching grants for building fire stations. I received a $200,000 grant for a fire station in the city of Louann.

You mentioned the National Fire Prevention Association and I think you were referring to the National Fire Protection Association. They set the rules and regulations that fire departments have to meet. Some regulations for fire fighters are turn-out gear (coat, pants, helmet, boots, face shield, hood and gloves).

You did not mention what the city budgets for the annual fire department. What is the annual income of the 833 money? This money is insurance turn-back that goes to all fire departments.

The Prescott City Council, the Prescott Water Department and the Prescott Fire Department need to have joint meetings at least quarterly.

City-wide fire inspections are a must and you receive points on your Insurance Service Organization town grading. This includes fire inspections of all your public buildings, including the fire station.

The city water system shall be maintained by that department. A helpful thing is to have a monthly county-wide fire department meeting. These meetings will provide you with the needs of Nevada County. Arkansas is fourth in the nation in fire deaths per capita. You need fire prevention (taught) in your public schools and at your Senior Citizens Center at least quarterly.

Elvis Willhite

Camden