Smithville Fire Proposes Adding Full-Time Firefighters
The officers of the Smithville Fire Department met with the Smithville City Counsel during a workshop session to hear Chief Charlie Parker's proposal on again lowering the cities ISO rating. In most cases the ISO rating determines the cost of insurance a home-owner will pay for covering their home in case of fire. The rating is determined by the effectiveness of the fire department and other infrastructure capabilities like hydrants and emergency communications.
The department recently lowered the rating from a Class 7 to a Class 6 and would like to move the rating to a Class 4. But this will require a major commitment by the Smithville City Counsel and will require them to fund at least some full-time firefighters, training materials and eventually an Aerial Device (Ladder Truck).
To read more about the meeting go to WJLE's website by clicking here WJLE Website. If you would like to leave a comment for Chief Charlie Parker, CLICK HERE to send him an email.
Smithville Fire Has Long Night
The Smithville Fire Department started out Good Friday standing by at the Fire Hall during the storms and tornado's that moved through Middle Tennessee and ended it the next morning recovering from a structure fire.
The long night started with a Carbon Monoxide alarm call, immediately followed by a request from the Smithville Police Department to help with traffic and clean-up following the tree that fell across West Broad Street. It was during that call that the firefighters got the call they always dread, a fire downtown. This one started in Ashburns Alley Cafe and was reported by the patrons at Donna County Kitchen across the way on Watnut Street.
The fire was difficult to put out and took an all out attempt by the SFD to extinguish the fire once and for all. The firefighters started the attack at a little after 7:00 PM and finally called it a night at 3:15 AM.
The long and exhausting night was made much better by the generosity of Donna's County Kitchen and Mapco Express, both of whom provided food and hot coffee. We would like to thank both of them for reaching out to us on a difficult night.
SFD Elects Officers for 2009
The Officer Elections are held each year and are voted on by the members of the department. In addition to the Officer Posts, veteran Firefighter Robert Eller was named the Honorary Assistant Chief.
SFD Hosts Regional Chiefs Meeting
The Smithville Fire Department hosted the Regional Fire Chiefs meeting on October 27th. Each month the Fire Chiefs of the region meet to discuss many topics including firefighting techniques, Homeland Security, and Mutual Aid Agreements. Pro-Fire, a vendor for firefighting equipment, hosted the catered event.
Those attending were treated to a tour of the building and dinner before the meeting. One guest present was Robert Mitchell, an Assistant Chief of the Lake Buena Vista (Walt Disney World) Fire Department. Chief Mitchell was visiting his parent who reside in Smithville.
Click on the link to see a slideshow of the meeting. Slideshow
Fire Hall Dedication
The Smithville Fire Department's dedication of their new firehall took place on September 13th. On hand for the event were many guests and city officials including Major Taft Hendrixson. Presenting the colors was the Honor Guard from the Murfreesboro Fire Department.
Chief Charlie Parker spoke to the audience about the Smithville Fire Department being a progressive department and about plans for the future including full-time firefighters. Chaplin Wallace Caldwell performed a reading about firefighting and then offered a prayer of protection for those assembled.
The audience was then treated to cake and punch plus a tour of the new building.
Click on the link to see a specially prepared video to commemorate the men and women of the Smithville Fire Department. Dedication Video
Firemen Complete Instructor Training
Four firefighters of the Smithville Fire Department completed instructor training in: Emergency Vehicle Operation (EVOC), Vanessa K Free Driver Training (VKF), and Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP). This training was conducted by the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads and was held March 28th and 29th in Murfreesboro. Those completing the training were:
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Charlie Parker
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Hoyte Hale
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Jeff Wright
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Wallace Caldwell
Firemen Attend Smokey Mountain Weekend
Six firefighters from the Smithville Fire Department recently received training conducted in Seiverville and Pigeon Forge Tennessee. The training is conducted each and gives firefighters a chance to learn new skills, especially those from rural areas were training resources may be scarce. Below is those that attended and the classes they completed:
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Charlie Parker - Downed Aircraft
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John Poss - Arson Investigation
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Kevin Adcock - Arson Investigation
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Randell Hunt - Chaplin Services
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Dusty Johnson - Arson Investigation
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Joseph Hall - Arson Investigation
Kevin Adcock - Outstanding Firefighter of the Year
Kevin Adcock and Robert Eller were honored at the Smithville Fire Department's annual banquet. Adcock received the award for Outstanding Firefighter of the Year with Eller being honored for making the most calls for 2007.
Adcock is responsible for the NFIRS reporting, which reports all fire incidents to State and Federal officials. In addition, he's the designer of this website and works with other communication related issues.
Robert Eller, in his 64 year with the Smithville Fire Department, continued the tradition of being the firefighter that responded to the most calls. Robert also attends most, if not all, of the departments training's.
Smithville Fire Holds Officer Elections
The Smithville Fire Department held their annual Officer elections on January 7th. Those elected as officers were:
