White Rock Fire Department Caps Successful Year; Looks Toward Progressive 2019

Two grants, keeping to the budget and successful fundraising efforts capped a successful year for the White Rock Fire Department.

Board chairman Dan Moore said the crew and board members worked hard last year on all counts, from fighting fires, stretching the budget, learning how to write a grant and helping the community with various service projects.

During comments made at the annual meeting on Monday night, Moore said the volunteer fire department operates on a shoestring budget, responding to various emergency situations. Crews often respond to medical calls in their own vehicles, using their own time and gas, he added.

Crew members, who cover a 90-square-mile area, responded to 20 structure fires, 68 vehicle accidents, 20 grass fires, six downed tree incidents, 122 medical calls, one water rescue and 19 "other" calls last year.

The department received two big boosts with two major grants. Money from the Missouri Department of Conservation Grant paid for 50 percent of the cost of five portable radios, five spare batteries, hose for the brush truck and some adapters.

Volunteers also worked to land another grant by watching webinars and studying how to write a grant. They submitted an application and were awarded a grant from the American Firefighter Grant Association. That grant paid for 95 percent of 15 sets of new turnout gear for the department. The $44,398 grant helped tremendously, Moore said.

Overall, the 2018 budget stayed within $750 of projections, he reported. The budget has taken some shuffling and juggling of finances, especially when challenges arose. When the transmission went out on the rescue truck, they were able to place a bid on a truck near Sallisaw. They won the bid and were able to purchase the good, used vehicle with saved funds, Moore said.

The department raises money, in part, through various benefit projects and dinners and sends out letters each year asking members to renew their annual dues. But board members hope to secure a tax-based financial footing if voters in April approve the establishment of a "fire district" on the ballot in April. Doing so would enable the fire department to tap into taxes levied in the fire district. That way, the base of the budget would not come strictly from donations.

To place the issue on the ballot, volunteers established boundaries with agreement from bordering fire departments, acquired legal direction, canvassed and obtained 130 signatures of people who would be considered in the White Rock Fire District and took the issue before a judge. The judge approved the issue for the ballot. Those in the proposed area can vote on the measure in April.

Other goals in 2019 include working to become certified to give free home safety inspections, as well as reducing the ISO rating from 9. Doing so could help neighbors save on their homeowner's insurance, he said.

In an election held near the end of the meeting, Tony Fisher was elected to a one-year term on the board. Ray Brattin and Ervin Brandenburg were elected to two-year terms.

Joe Sanders was elected to be assistant fire chief.

General News on 01/10/2019