Arbala Volunteer Fire Department Announces Upcoming Transition Into a Staffed Fire Department
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From the Arbala Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page:
Good changes coming for district 17 Arbala VFD. This is something new for Hopkins County, we will be transitioning into a staffed fire department. Our members have decided to start working shifts to provide a better service for southern Hopkins County. The goal is to staff firefighters at the station 9am – 7pm daily to ensure a response to Fire and EMS calls. There is no guarantee anyone is coming without the VFD’s in Hopkins County. Most volunteer firefighters are off work and able to respond after 7pm throughout the entire county. The county fire department 20 is covering around 850 square miles, with one engine and two full time firefighters, occasionally a third part timer.
At anytime they may be tied up on a call 20 – 30 minutes away not able to respond or abandon the call they are already on. This change will be strenuous on our volunteers putting their lives on hold to provide good service for the citizens. This will take baby steps. Not every day will be covered at first. We hope to bring in more volunteers by changing our application process to be eligible from any distance instead of just Inside district boundaries. The application process has been posted on our Facebook page. Arbala Station 17 has certified Firefighters/EMT’s with many years of experience that provide training every month.
I have nineteen years of Hopkins County firefighting experience and this can and will work with the support of our Hopkins County citizens. Come join the Arbala Volunteer Fire Department, the first staffed volunteer fire department in Hopkins County.
Sincerely,
Chief Brian Fairchild
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