Goodman Rebounding With New Fire Station

FIREFIGHTERS FIND NEW HOME AFTER STATION DESTROYED LAST YEAR

Photo by Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press The Goodman Area Fire Protection District recently moved into a new fire station on East Russell Street in Goodman. Firefighters have rebounded after a tornado last year destroyed their main facilities. The team includes Fire Chief Keith Estes and firefighters Jared Mackall, Harvey Mayhan, David Todd, Clay Sexson, Bud Richmond, Justin Sellers, Diana Richmond, Ashley Carter, Kevin Carter, Keith Holloway, Bud Gilmore and Kent Hartman.
Photo by Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press The Goodman Area Fire Protection District recently moved into a new fire station on East Russell Street in Goodman. Firefighters have rebounded after a tornado last year destroyed their main facilities. The team includes Fire Chief Keith Estes and firefighters Jared Mackall, Harvey Mayhan, David Todd, Clay Sexson, Bud Richmond, Justin Sellers, Diana Richmond, Ashley Carter, Kevin Carter, Keith Holloway, Bud Gilmore and Kent Hartman.

As Goodman fire officials settle into their new station on East Russell Street, they reflect that it's been a banner year.

Firefighters have struggled to consolidate operations into a new station since a tornado, last year, destroyed two fire stations.

The group has rebounded, however, and just recently finished moving into a building not far away from the devastated site.

Recovery from last year's tornado is just about complete, and firefighters are excited to service neighbors from a facility which seems to be the perfect fit. A tornado in April 2017 destroyed two fire stations located across from each other, but volunteers recently have settled into a new facility, which features 8,400 square feet, said Fire Chief Keith Estes.

The station -- comprised of two buildings -- features room for all fire engines, equipment, plus meeting rooms, office and restrooms. The central location enables firefighters to respond to all fires in town.

In addition, all operations and storage of all fire response vehicles are now complete. Since the tornado, fire officials had housed some of their equipment at Choice Puppies.

The Goodman Area Fire Protection Board paid $305,000, which included the two buildings, the property and all the utilities, Estes said.

Insurance money -- a settlement from the tornadic destruction -- and reserve funds were utilized for the purchase, Estes said. No tax increases were put into place for the new facility, he added.

With the move to a new station complete, fire volunteers anticipate more training in the future. Firefighters now can utilize the station on East Russell, a recently completed station at Splitlog and one on Sorrel Road.

Other successes this year include a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, Volunteer Assistance Program.

The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant awards up to $4,000 to help with the purchase of gear and equipment, aiding fire departments to suppress wildfires.

Fire departments can use the grant to purchase personal protective gear, communications equipment and wildfire suppression equipment.

The fire protection district was established in 2005 by the vote of Goodman residents. The city of Goodman previously had operated a fire department for years, but officials believed the establishment and operation of a fire district would be more economically feasible. With the change, the city gave firefighting equipment to the district.

Today, the department operates with funds from income taxes and covers 96 square miles with the help of dedicated volunteers. All positions, including the fire chief, are non-paid.

General News on 10/18/2018