“Assistant Chief Dave McQuerry submitted grant information, Lieutenant Randy Godsey chaired the SCBA Committee (Deputy Chief Craig Stewart, Firefighter/EMT Chase Autry, Firefighter/Paramedic Brad Harden, Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Brownfield), and all of our members have been integral in the testing of demo units and providing invaluable feedback during the entire process,” said Fire/EMS Chief Todd Whitaker.

"These essential pieces of equipment become integrated into a firefighter's gear by connecting to a harness worn in the protective bunker pants," Assistant Chief Brian Meadows said in a release. "The equipment purchased with this grant will provide our firefighters with a rapid and effective means of egress should they become trapped by fire and need to bail out of a window. Additionally, it can be used to lower a victim to safety."  

Meadows said the department's firefighters were issued a length of rope and a carabiner for this purpose for the last twenty years, which has proven to be an unrealistic option during an emergency.

Fire Chief Steven Coats says the two current fire stations are in poor condition and do not meet all their needs. And with an investment of more than $1 million dollars through a tax passed earlier this year, Chief Coats explains the benefits of the new building outweigh the cost.

 

The project estimating at around $1.5 million dollars will house 4 full-time staffed fire fighters, and be properly suited for overnight shifts --- something the fire department has never had before.   

The Redings Mill Fire Protection District proudly protects approximately 13,000 citizens in a 110 square mile fire district located in southwest Missouri.

 

The town is definitely getting a new fire engine, which would retire 21-year-old Engine 22, and replace 10-year-old frontline piece Engine 21, but still up for debate among the Truck Selection Committee is what color the truck will be.  

Fire Capt. Graham Archer told the Board of Selectmen last week that he’s in favor of going blue for the truck, but Swampscott Fire Chief Kevin Breen said he’s still not sold. The decision will be made at a pre-construction conference next month.  

With the purchase, the fire department will keep its equipment level at three pieces of apparatus, with two engines, or pumper trucks, and one ladder truck.