The cartoon showing Lord Kitchener dates from World War I and a similar one featuring Uncle Sam dates from World War II. They express a serious truth that without you we have serious troubles. They can be explained or be blamed on a variety of causes, varying from political to theological. Various forces have led to smaller rural communities populated with an increasingly older populations. Employment which was at one time community centered is increasingly in Bridgewater and Liverpool. Consequently we have fewer young adults in the communities during day time and in fact, at any time of the day. Shift work has become the norm and 9 to 5 is a rare work situation. That has not been all bad, since with shift work, many residents are home during days, part of the time, as contrasted with fishermen being gone for extended periods of time or woods worker being well away from home, most days. You can help by joining your local fire department. What ever your work situation, you can fill a drastic need.  Taking the Mill Village and District Fire Department (MVDFD) as an example, you can see that there is an important place for your contribution, unless you are seriously disabled.

The fire departments furnish free training at short courses offered at Liverpool and Bridgewater by special instructors brought in for the courses and courses are also offered at the Waverly Fire School. There is also training within the departments.

When the MVDFD goes out on call, a member is left in the Hall to serve as radio operator. The operator maintains contact with the trucks, other departments and often is engaged in giving and receiving additional information from Central Dispatch.

The tasks a fire fighter performs at a scene are varied. MVDFD Truck #1 is always dispatched since it serves the role of command and communication center and brings the turnout gear for fire fighters who arrive by personal transport, as well as the Breathing Apparatus. (BA). It also contains first aid supplies and traffic control hardware. When fully staffed there will be a driver, an operator for the VHF and TMR radio systems and a minimum of two individuals for perimeter control. It is not unusual to need 4 people on traffic control with each equipped with a portable 2 way radio. There is room for 4 personnel who will attack the blaze and wear turnout gear and BA. Ideally there will be a passenger in the passenger’s seat to serve as extra look out when crossing or entering intersections and who can then serve in some other capacity upon arrival at the scene. .

Trucks #2 and #3 supply dry foam and water for attacking fires. Besides the drivers there will normally be a fire fighters in the passenger’s seat. On arrival the pumps need to be activated and monitored during use. With Truck #3 a minimum of two persons are usually needed in handling each water hose.

If you add up the personnel required to fully operate 3 trucks and 3 hoses with 2 members on perimeter control you will come up with a minimum of 10 members needed with only 6 actually engaging the fire. Ideally we need at a minimum twice that number as active members. You are very much needed. You will also note that only 6 members are actually attacking the fire.

Is it risky ? It can be, but much of the risk results from lack of caution. The risk rises to its highest when entering burning buildings. With suitable bunker gear, the risks are minimized. The department supplies its fire fighters with excellent gear.

Do we have many calls ? One call is too many but we have about 15 calls each year of which motor vehicle accidents and chimney fires account for about half and we have only 1 or 2 structural fires. The balance of the calls are stand by at the hall while one of the other departments responds to chimney fires not requiring our assistance, or backing up Liverpool when all their equipment is engaged. Under that situation we usually send Truck #3 with 3 personnel.

Insurance: You may wonder what about lost time if you are injured and off work . You are fully covered by worker's compensation.

Tax benefits: Beginning with the 2007 Tax Year active fire volunteers received a tax credit to help pay their tax bill. This amounted to $250 for 2007, will rise to $375 this year and next year to $500.

License plates: Active personnel are entitled to free motor vehicle licenses for one vehicle (front and back plates).

What are the tasks ? Respond to emergencies, attend monthly business meetings; attend monthly practice meetings; avail yourself of local training sessions; and help at various fund raisers. MVDFD does not do Bingo. With a modest increase in membership, it will be possible to form two teams to handle some of the fund raising and share the work alternately.

If you have a fire or your neighbor does, who will fight it ? Liverpool is 30 minutes away on a fire call. MVDFD is 10-15. Surely you can see areas where you can help.  If your neighbors fire spreads, you may be next. Without a local department, you can expect to see justifiable fire insurance rate increases.

For more information contact Chief Donnie Whynot  902 677-2098