Anderson County Commissioners recently approved the purchase of a swiftwater boat and the formation of a county Swiftwater Rescue Team, PalestineHerald.com reported.

During Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, a Slocum Volunteer Fire Department official reported that swiftwater rescues had become more prevalent in the community and were one of the more dangerous types of rescues emergency crew personnel participated in, the report said.

The fire official explained the difference between jon boats and swiftwater rescue boats and the need for the specialty boat, noting that jon boats easily take on water and swiftwater rescue boats were made to not capsize, according to the report.

It was established that the swiftwater boat would belong to the county and be available to any county volunteer fire department that needed use of it, as long as they were trained in swiftwater rescues and the use of the boat, the report said.

Scott Vavra is an industry veteran, Army Reservist and expert who creates best-in-class customer service experiences in manufacturing

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI – 12/14/2022 – Scott Vavra will assume leadership of Darley’s Pump Customer Support and Applications Engineering Team effective January 9, 2023.

“We are thrilled Scott has joined Darley to lead one of the most vital parts of our business to put our customers first and exceed expectations,” said Greg Field, Pump Division General Manager. “We’re confident our customers will be in good hands with Scott and his team as we continue to take the total customer care experience to the next level.”

Vavra succeeds Lairy Normand, who is retiring on January 6, 2023, after 30 years of distinguished service. 

“On behalf of the entire organization, I want to thank Lairy for his many contributions to Darley over the past 30 years, and I wish him all the best,” said Field.

Vavra is an accomplished leader in global customer support. Before joining Darley, Vavra spent over 15 years with Cummins, where he successfully held a range of customer support leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Vavra improved total customer support experience by developing and implementing innovative and comprehensive operations and training programs. Vavra received the Silver Drop Award for Outstanding Customer Service from the Cummins Engine Company in 2010.

Vavra also serves in the Army National Guard and received a leadership award while stationed at Fort Knox, Ky.

Vavra holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Industrial Technology, Technical Sales and Service. He also earned an Automotive Technology degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College and a teaching certificate from Mount Senario College.

Vavra lives in Holcombe, WI, with his wife of 27 years, Holly, and his three daughters, Kayla (24), Emily (22), and Carly (18). When not spending time with his wonderful family, Vavra is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys working on various projects.

The approval of more than $1.02 million in bonding through the Community Preservation Act could breathe new life to the shuttered Fall River Fire Museum on North Main Street and a partial exterior makeover to the Central Fire Station on Bedford Street, HeraldNews.com reported. 

Last month the city council consented for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to apply for the loan that would provide $644,477 to restore the façade of the Central Fire Station on the Bedford Street side, the report said. 

The CPC has funded the cost of a new roof on the still active Central Fire Station, that houses Heavy Rescue One and soon more EMS rescue crews, according to the report. 

The Fire Museum, which was the former Central Fire Station, has been shuttered since 2016 when the city building inspector deemed it unsafe, the report said. 

Since then, the museum has received CPA funds over the last three or four rounds, and the infusion of $463,080 from the CPA bonding for window restoration and vestibule restoration, could change the trajectory of the Fall River Fire Museum’s future, the report said. The fire museum might be open by summer, the report said.

Solon (IA) firefighter Greg Morris shared on his Facebook page last weekend photos of the Solon Fire Department’s new fire station.

The department is also scheduled to receive a new rescue truck in January. The new 20,000-square-foot fire station was completed largely through community donations, which Morris said began as far back as 2018.