Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

85 Families To Benefit From VFD (cont)

nd firefighters could take other satellite classes as well for their training and certification.

As the department drops in ISO class, more and more classes and training will be required.

Charles Bullard, the county's 911 coordinator, told the audience how the boundaries are set, and of the importance of getting the department established quickly.

He said there are currently 14 VFDs in the county, covering 875 square miles. Each department has a five-mile radius it must cover.

With the Center Ridge VFD, he said, the response time would be reduced.

Subscribers to the VFD, when reporting a fire, would have to tell the 911 operator which department they are members of. The operator will then dispatch the proper VFD.

But, he said, the department needs to get established quickly so the information can be plugged into the 911 program.

Those present were in complete agreement to form a department in the Center Ridge Community.

A slate of board members was also named at the meeting. The board will consist of Mary Burns, Ann Caldwell, Margaret Alice Casteel (who was named secretary/treasurer), Gary Deaton, J.C. Smithpeters and Jimmy Ledbetter.

The board will choose other officers from within.

Burns said there are three possible sites for a VFD building. She said the property owners will be approached to see if they will donate the land to the department.

All locations, Burns said, are located near the Center Grove Methodist Church.

The board will meet regularly to see the department gets established as quickly as possible.