Pineville Firefighters And Supporters Provide Equipment
Pineville Fire Department is so lucky to have the equipment we have to serve our citizens and surrounding areas, department officials say. That equipment hasn’t just been given to us, it was able to be purchased from hard work by the firefighters and supporters of the Fire Department.
Pineville Fire Department has a large section of Interstate 49 as well as U.S. Highway 71 that it covers. The traffic on these two roads is constantly increasing and the wrecks are sometimes devastating due to the speeds. Pineville Fire Department is blessed to have two rescue units and two sets of extrication equipment.
Pineville Fire just sponsored a vehicle extrication class for local firefighters to brush up on their skills. All of the new systems on vehicles can really make it hazardous on the victims of the wreck as well as the firefighters.
Pineville Fire Department is also blessed to have three pumper trucks and two large tanker trucks to fight structure fires.
The Pineville fire area extends out into the rural area around Pineville – all the way out to Cyclone. Water is very limited when firefighters get away from the city and that is when tanker trucks come into play.
The department has two large drop tanks to set up at the fire site and then the tanker trucks can run to a water source and fill up, repeating the process until the fire is out. The department doesn’t usually have very many structure fires in the summer months, but let it cool off and the chances increase dramatically.
Pineville Fire Department has always been a strong believer in smoke detectors. Firefighters say they are a must for every residence. Smoke detectors have been proven to save lives as long as the batteries are good. Pineville Fire Department has teamed up with the American Red Cross to offer and install smoke detectors for folks. Contact Pineville City Hall at 417-223-4368 option 3 and leave your name and phone number and someone from the department will contact you and set up an appointment.
Grass and brush fires and burn bans are things the department sees more of during spring, summer, and fall. Grass and brush fires can be as simple as a controlled burn of leaves and brush to large grassy fields on fire.
In the last few years when there are really dry conditions for several days in a row, the fire chiefs get together and vote on implementing a burn ban. If the fire chiefs vote to do so, then the information is sent to the McDonald County Commission and the commission then orders a burn ban for McDonald County. This isn’t a real common event, but it is a tool to have in case conditions are too dangerous to burn.
Grass and brush fires can really take a toll on a department — from flat tires to body damage on brush trucks. The department has even had to replace a brush truck due to engine problems at one of the brush fires.
How did the department get the equipment it has? The Pineville Fire Department sponsors Jesse James Days each year in August on the Pineville Square and that is the largest fundraiser. In the spring the department has a pancake breakfast at the Pineville Grill. These are two of the ways firefighters raise money for vehicles, equipment, and fire safety educational materials.
A membership program allows residents of the fire area to buy a membership for fire service as well as an insurance billing company that bills for the runs and calls. The department also has some great supporters in the area who make donations to the department each year. The money the city provides covers the building and vehicle insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.