Noel Volunteer Fire Crew 'Like Family'

File photo/McDonald County Press The Noel Fire Department serves the small riverside town by responding to wrecks, medical calls, structure and brush fires. Firefighters are Blake Barrett (left), Dusty Schureman, Cody Miller, Chief Brandon Barrett, Cami Schureman, Trent Schureman, Aaron Jones and Eric Bennett.
File photo/McDonald County Press The Noel Fire Department serves the small riverside town by responding to wrecks, medical calls, structure and brush fires. Firefighters are Blake Barrett (left), Dusty Schureman, Cody Miller, Chief Brandon Barrett, Cami Schureman, Trent Schureman, Aaron Jones and Eric Bennett.

The rain didn't do anything to dampen the spirit of the Noel Fire Department volunteers. The crew laughed and lined up for a photo. The camaraderie among the volunteers was unmistakable.

The crew joked with each other, finding comfort with friends and knowing that they're all in it together.

Dusty Schureman, who has been with the department for just three months, said his position as an EMT has helped him get a jump-start on his new volunteer gig.

He's quickly learned about the "fireside of it" and all the different equipment that's utilized on a call.

The aspect he enjoys most? "I know other people are backing me."

For Aaron Jones, joining the volunteer ranks seemed a natural thing to do. The former high school football player played for four years on the field with Schureman. He signed up as a volunteer just days ago. Jones hopes to gain experience and make friends "like family."

"I hope I can help take some of the responsibility of everyone else," he said.

Finding enough volunteers -- and keeping them -- has been tough on the department, not unlike other all-volunteer departments in McDonald County.

To recruit, Chief Brandon Barrett said the department utilizes social media and word-of-mouth.

Sometimes, people are just called to help.

Cami Schureman said the flood that swept through Anderson earlier this year prompted her to join.

"My husband and my son helped with the flood. I said, 'What can I do?' So I joined."

Staffing constantly remains an issue. Volunteers come and go, but the calls just keep coming.

For a small riverside town, Noel has a staggering amount of calls to which the department responds.

Wrecks, medical calls, structure and brush fires, top the list of numerous calls the department handles.

Barrett said the department looks to average about the same amount of total calls as last year. Eighty-percent of calls are medical, he said.

Firefighters sometimes deliver babies, perform search and rescue, clear trees from roads after a storm, extinguish vehicle fires and more.

The department trains at least twice a month. Each firefighter is required to train 70 hours a year to maintain the city's ISO rating, Barrett said.

The department also provides mutual aid for any agency in McDonald County. The department responds to calls from Sulphur Springs to White Rock.

Noel provides the backdrop for numerous calls, especially during the summer, when floaters, boaters and swimmers flock to the tourist spot.

The town also has a mix of neighbors of different nationalities, which oftentimes result in a language barrier.

With such a variety of situations they handle, volunteers realize the importance of pulling together as a team.

Cami Schureman said the group often hangs out together, outside the confines of the job.

Cody Miller said the department continues to grow and improve. He believes it's headed in the right direction.

Support for one another knows no bounds.

"The best part is the fire family we've developed."

General News on 10/17/2019