De Queen Fire Department undertakes safety projects

The De Queen Fire Department has been working this summer with a number of safety projects, including installing smoke detectors and clean-up projects, Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy said.

Charley Farley, a local country musician, recently donated $1,000 to the fire department with funds from a benefit T-shirt sale.

The money will be used to purchase smoke detectors which are installed at no charge for city residents. A limited number of carbon monoxide detectors are also available at the fire department.

“Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion. If you heat with gas or wood, you may need a CO detector,” McKelvy said.

Also, a member of the code enforcement office is canvassing the town looking for clean-up issues.

“Almost 100 homes have been tagged for clean-up so far. These usually include tall grass or weeds and trash in the yard. Residents are given seven days to comply and so far, response has been good,” McKelvy said.

“Firefighters are also trying to get more homes to display their house numbers. Ordinance 1035 of 2017 requires every building in the city limits to have its house number displayed. Numbers should be a minimum of three inches on homes and six inches on commercial buildings,” he said.

Peel-and-stick letters available from local stores are acceptable for most homes.

“If you are unable to display your numbers, the fire department can provide 6 x 18 metal signs at no cost,” McKelvy the mayor said.

For additional information, call the De Queen Fire Station at 870-594-7224.