Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

NCRU evolves from CB club

Nevada County has one of the best rescue units in the state, but this hasn't always been the case.

In fact, the Nevada County Rescue Unit began as a Citizen's Band radio club in 1968. The members worked with law enforcement agencies to help find hunters lost in the woods. They also worked parking cars at the county fair and ball games. They also worked as storm spotters when severe weather threatened.

In the 1970's, the club got involved in the firefighting business, purchasing a truck from the Arkansas Forestry Service. Charles Ray Cross spearheaded this effort. At the time, there were only three fire departments in the county, including Prescott's. Now, though, there are 11 volunteer fire departments in Nevada County.

Cross spent countless hours working to expand the operation so it could include fire and rescue. He worked tirelessly getting donations and grants to upgrade the facilities with fire trucks, extraction equipment and rescue boats, while also working to establish fire departments in communities around the county.

Before Cross's dream became a reality, he died of cancer. However, members of the unit continued working to build it as a way to honor his memory.

Because of Cross's efforts, the NCRU dedicated its building near the Prescott City Park to his memory. A sign was erected reading: "Nevada County Rescue Unit  In Memory of Charles Ray Cross." The sign was painted by Gerald McLelland.

According to William Mullins, a member of the NCRU, the organization took off in the 1980s as Cross worked through fire departments and began a building project. The NCRU had two trucks at the time.

Those who could afford them, Mullins said, bought the 3710 radios. These radios were used statewide at the time by all agencies. The NCRU only used them in emergency situations.

As technology advanced, so did the NCRU. In the late 80s, the group went to the high-band radios and operated on the Nevada County Judge's frequency. Cross, meanwhile, continued working to get a building up for the NCRU and expanding fire protection throughout the county by getting rural departments established.

NCRU members continued their education, taking a wide variety of emergency-oriented classes.

In 1990, the NCRU bought a Jaws of Life and began working more automobile wrecks. Mullins said before obtaining the Jaws of Life, they had to force vehicle doors open to free people trapped inside. NCRU members also took classes in how to operate the Jaws more effectively and efficiently. "We've saved some lives over the past 13 years," he said.

Mullins said there is a "golden hour" where if people can be rescued and given medical attention their chance of survival is better.

The 11 fire departments in Nevada County, he said, help one another out, as the county is pretty well covered with fire protection.

Mullins said one of the problems the departments face in fighting fires is homeowners trying to battle blazes before calling for help. He suggested in the event of a house fire the homeowner first call 9-1-1 for a fire department, then try to extinguish the flames.

He also suggested those people with fireplaces having their chimneys cleaned before cooler weather arrives. "We have a lot of chimney fires."

The NCRU recently added another truck, which can hold 2,700 gallons of water. Mullins said it will be the last truck dispatched and will be used to furnish water for other trucks at fire scenes.

The NCRU, today, consists of Mullins, its president; Todd Prewitt, the vice president; Tommy Johnson, the secretary; Eddie Daniels, the fire chief; and Steve Jackson, the assistant chief. Other members are: Jason Cox, Mike Goodwin, Tom Hand, Fred Korenek, Phillip McAdams, Donny McGuire, Jeremy Taylor and Keith Williams.