Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rosston VFD Retains Class 9 Ratings

Rosston's volunteer fire department will retain its class 9 rating.

According to Johnny Jenson, the Rosston fire chief, a representative from the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) checked the department over, and it passed inspection.

Jenson, talking to the Rosston City Council Thursday, Nov. 5, said it's getting hard to find parts for the department's older truck. Currently, he said, the truck needs a new distributor and getting the existing one rebuilt could take three or four weeks.

It may be possible for the Rosston VFD to drop to a class 8 rating, he said, but there are a lot of factors involved.

He also informed the council the department needs to allocate its Act 833 money or it will lose it.

Part of the money could be used to repair one of the department's radios. Rosston Mayor Lewis Jackson said they've been having trouble with one of the radios and if it can't be fixed it will have to be replaced.

He said Rosston received $2,958 in Act 833 money, and most of it can be allocated toward the purchase of a new firetruck.

One is already being looked for at this time. The city hopes to find a firetruck in good repair already built, instead of having to buy a truck body and build one from scratch.

Councilman Rob Robison suggested doing an inventory of fire department equipment with the firemen being accountable for their suits and radios. The council, he said, needs to be kept up to date on what the department does and doesn't have.

In addition, Robison said there needs to be more community involvement from area residents. There are many who do nothing but complain.

Fund raisers to help the fire department could be held, he said. This is successfully done by other communities in the county. "People here just gripe. This has to be initiated. We can't just sit around and wait for it to come to us. We've got to support the fire department."

The question was raised about how well the department is staffed as fire season is rapidly approaching.

Jenson said there are eight men in the department, and there are no problems with staffing at night. However, most of the firemen work during the day, which poses a problem. But, he added, other departments do respond when called.

There have been recruiting efforts to build up the personnel at the VFD, he said, but few are willing to go through the required training and get certified. Jenson said several have voiced an interest in fighting the fires, though.

Robison suggested another recruiting effort be mounted.

Jackson pointed out there are few young people in the Rosston area.

Discussion then turned to having women who are willing to go through the certification training join the force. Jenson said anyone is welcome providing they can pass a background check.

Jackson said the criteria for being a volunteer firefighter needs to be put in writing for those interested.

Robison urged advertising for volunteers, saying women are as capable of fighting a fire as men are, but active recruitment is needed.

Continuing education for firefighters is something else the department needs, Jackson said, along with having the firemen interact with the people in the city.

Robison changed the topic, saying the city needs an ordinance against loud music. He said music from vehicles can be heard three minutes before the vehicle arrives.

Edna Kelly, also on the council, said loud music is a private thing, and there's no way the city can control it. "It's a sign of the times," she said.

Jackson will be talking to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office about getting a deputy to ride the bus and watch for motorists passing stopped buses illegally.

Kelly said this is the bus driver's responsibility and the drivers should use their radios to call this in.

Robison informed Kelly the bus drivers have other responsibilities and can't always get the information needed when illegally passed.

"We need to stop the problem," Jackson said, "before a child gets killed."

The city will again put a Christmas tree up and prepare for the holidays. It is hoped entertainment can be arranged, with "goody" bags made for area children. Santa will pay an early visit and refreshments could be available.

However, the Christmas activities will be further discussed at the December council meeting.