White Rock Fire Department Completes Helipad, Gets Equipment

The all-volunteer White Rock Fire Department attracts a variety of people from all walks of life.

From those who served in the military to those who want to show up and help, the crew accepts new volunteers who have the heart to serve the community.

White Rock Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Fred Parker said all members, from command staff to personnel, combine their skills and ideas.

“Everybody who comes through the doors adds something.”

The department serves an area of 90 square miles, working from two stations, one in Jane, the other off Highway 90.

Volunteers have accomplished a great deal this year, including finishing and dedicating a helipad, adding and maintaining apparatus and adding a brush truck.

The department received a big boost in February, when Rick Bronson donated two defibrillators, along with a check for $38,880.80 for eight self-contained breathing apparatus.

Along with additional equipment and a new helipad, volunteers continue to receive training. Staff members have undergone more training in the last two years, thanks to more in-house classes offered by Crowder College, Parker said.

In 1962, a fire in the area prompted a group of people to form together to help the community. From there, volunteers have helped build an operation to serve their neighbors.

Today, Chief Joe Lahr heads up a staff of 21 active volunteers who aid the community, with two to three people in reserves and two who perform administrative duties.

All operational funds are derived from money that comes from fund-raisers supported by the community.

Firefighters work very hard to give of their time to learn more, grow as a group and work together to accomplish such goals as the completion of the helipad.

“We’ve come a long ways over the last few years,” Parker said. “Over the last decade, I’d say the most notable is that we are trying to be more positive, trying to put things in a more positive light.”

“Over the last decade, I’d say the most notable is that we are trying to be more positive, trying to put things in a more positive light.”

Assistant Fire Chief Fred Parker White Rock Fire Dept.