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Volunteer Fire Department Destroyed By Fire
Almost a year ago a small rural fire department in Horseshoe Bend Arkansas was destroyed by fire, even though many local departments assisted in mutual aide to try to save the department it was to no avail........Not only did they loose their department, but trucks, turnouts, scbas etc......because someone at city hall had failed to pay the insurance on the contents of the building, contents were not covered and the building only minimumly. Thanks to many local departments who donated equipment and Arkansas Forrestry for a truck, trying to get the department back up and running has been quite a struggle. Many community fund raisers and many grants have been applied for to try go get the department rebuilt. But , all grants have been denied, even though the Governor on a recent call in radio program told Fire Cheif Mike Hilliker that there was money out there and a number to call to get it, there was not any available. Here is the kicker,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no money to build a rural fire department, but thousands to remodel the Clinton Library in Little Rock, I know as a firefighter/paramedic that life is not fair, but this STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by timothy fento on
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the gov. does not realy care about any fire dept. or they would quit cutting their jobs and manpower and maybe help them out by making it not so hard to get grants for gear and equipment
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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That Library should have been built in Horseshoe Bend. Then when the porno books inside start to burn the response time would prohibit saving the building. Oh wait, then a brand new FD might be needed in the politicians minds. TCSS
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Permalink Reply by capt4021 on
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I know there is departments all over Delaware that donate used equipment and trucks all over. You can try and contact the DVFA office and see if any of the companies can help. The number is 1-877-455-3832 or 1-302-734-9390 I don't know who exactly is in the office all the time but it is worth a shot.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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This is, indeed, very unfortunate. Doesn't make sense.Maybe the said governor should maybe show a little interest in the community and see about getting the dollars to help. Might look good on him. This should be brought public. Maybe at the next town council meeting or something similar. I wouldn't let this get buried.
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Bernal on
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THIS IS BULLS--T! Just shows you the priority of the government, it is not the people. Go public nationally with this one!
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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Hard to believe! That any state does not have disaster funds for use for the fire service in the event of a dept loss of a building or apparatus.
I think I would go to the media or contact the local state or US rep or Senator and get them involve or both. Might be time to get some state laws change to add disaster funds for public safety replacement of building and equipment.
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Permalink Reply by CHIEF NORMAN on
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Well what needs to be done is get you a news crew or two or three and have them follow you to the gov. office and put him on the spot or at least his staff if he dosent want to talk...Sometimes it takes something drastic to get something done...But you better have your ducks in a row before this is done and have your questions ready and at hand as soon as lights-camers-action...
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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I am deeply sorry to hear that. It is very unfortunate. They will rebuild and probably be better than they were before. It's going to take some time though. It happened to a dept. here in my county a couple of years ago. They didn't lose all of their trucks and gear, but alot of it was heavily damaged. The depts. in the county pulled together and donated whatever they could to help them rebuild. But my thoughts and prayers go out to those guys and gals. It's a real heartbreaker to see eveerything you've worked hard for go up in flames.
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Does Arkansas have a state fire association or is there a county fire association in the county where Horseshoe Bend is in? Our county or the state association always get involved in the law making in the state legislation while they are in session to watch bills and talk to legislators to get them to come over to our side to know how we need things to be.
We have a all state sprinkler requirement in homes and other buildings because of the county associations and the state fire association. We have many laws for money needs for the fire, rescue and EMS depts and their members. We fought to keep the state from shutting down state operated medivac helicopters and won.
Do everything you can to get help to protect the fire, rescue and EMS services in the state from disaster when money is needed to replace something. Get your associations involve.
Another thing might be to talk big bussiness corps. for donation of money if the state isn't worth talking to.
Ever contacted maybe your former gov and former US President Bill Clinton for help to talk to people for you.
Anything is worth a try.
Even a ABC TV show Extreme Make Over rebuilt a fire station that was damaged in a hurricane why not a burned down fire station. Even got them new equipment and a new pumper.
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