Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Whelen Fire Department seeks volunteers

The Whelen Springs Volunteer Fire Department is in need of volunteer fire fighters, according to Whelen Springs Fire Chief Sam LeMay.

The department currently has 10 certified volunteers on the team. But due to a few of the members taking new jobs or moving out of the Whelen Springs area, LeMay said only about six members are capable of regularly attending meetings.

Because of the recent closing of Malcom Dwight Logging, two members have taken jobs hauling equipment to states as far away as Arizona.

Although there has only been one reported fire in the Whelen Springs area, LeMay said there have been a few more emergency calls needing first responders. Four of the 10 members of the W.S.V.F.D. are certified as first responders.

LeMay said he is looking for anyone who is or is not certified for fighting fires.

If theyre not certified, well get them certified, LeMay said.

LeMay said anyone interested should live within 10 miles from the fire department, which covers a five-mile radius from the town.

Although the numbers of firefighters are in a slump, LeMay still feels confident in his team.

The people we got  they put out fires, he said. If you need anything done and theyre here, theyll help you.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer fire fighter for W.S.V.F.D. can call LeMay at 353-6301.