LRFD Open House planned for September 13
Photo from The Licking News Archives 2024
At last year’s Open House, firefighters took apart a car, similar to what they would to release a trapped person at an accident scene.
The Licking Rural and City Fire departments are hosting an Open House on Saturday, September 13, and are inviting the public to attend. If you would like to see what it’s like to be a firefighter, or would like to help out around the firehouse, or even if you want to see how your fire dues (rural) or taxes (city) are being spent, stop by the fire station that day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and speak to Chief Bobby Hearty, rural board members and other firefighters and volunteers.
Jackie Duncan will be on hand throughout the event, collecting rural fire dues. Also expected are Texas County Ambulance personnel, members of the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Texas County 911 dispatchers and more. The firetrucks will be open – Chief Hearty wants people to see the equipment that has been obtained (how their money is being spent). A nozzle will also be set up for children to see and operate.
At 11:30 a.m., firefighters will use their new equipment to perform a mock vehicle extrication, taking apart the frame of a vehicle to allow access if anyone were trapped inside.
The new training room will also be open for people to view. Popcorn and cookies will be served, and if a food truck vendor is interested in attending, they can contact Jennifer at 573-201-9921 for more information.
Some of the newest equipment purchased includes 12 new radios, six new hoses, new safety vests and lighted STOP paddles to assist with traffic control at accident sites. On September 15, the department is supposed to receive a hen nozzle, which was purchased with approximately $600 in grant money, with the rural board kicking in about $1,000.00. A hen nozzle shoots water flat, at a wide angle, about 175 gal/min at 45 psi. In comparison a regular nozzle will have a narrow coverage area and will shoot 200 gal/min at 80+ psi. The hen nozzle is useful in structure fires to knock down fire quickly and allow entry for a rescue.
Chief Hearty’s priority is the safety of his firefighters. He feels the best way to maintain a strong volunteer department is to retain firefighters. He also believes this will attract more volunteers to join their family. And that is how he describes it – a family. They train together, respond together at all hours of the night and day, and watch out for each other. He will be taking applications for volunteers that day. In addition to fighting fires, volunteers are also needed to help reestablish a fire department auxiliary. Auxiliary members may help with fundraisers, taking food or water to firefighters on the scene of a fire, or helping out behind the scenes in a number of ways.
So stop by, see what they do, and bring the family. The volunteers will be happy to see you and to answer any of your questions.
