Wesson Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) told its story to the community last month at a special open house.
“We are dedicated to protecting the citizens of our community in their time of need,” WVFD Chief Ken Carraway told almost 30 persons who turned out for the two-hour event on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.at the Wesson Fire Station on Spring Street.
Attendees learned about benefits received through WVFD and how, in turn, they could deliver benefits to the organization. They also lunched on hamburgers, hot dogs and other munchies donated by local eateries.
Carraway discussed training and funding that keeps WVFD running:
WVFD members, he said, must take classes in volunteer fire fighting, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System, apparatus and equipment, safe response and return to and from emergencies. They must also take 74 hours of training each year covering similar topics, and can choose extra classes to become medical first responders and learn about hazmat, vehicle operation, traffic incident management, search and rescue, wildland firefighting and radiological emergency response, among other subjects.
WVFD, he explained, receives rebate money for most of its equipment, but vehicle maintenance, apparatus repair and several extra training courses (i.e, wildland fire fighting, search and rescue, CPR/AED, hazmat, vehicle extrication) are not covered by rebate money.
Carraway also pointed to insurance savings by town citizens as a major benefit of WVFD practices and reporting. Along with guidance from Mississippi Fire Rating Bureau, they can lower the Town of Wesson fire rating from 8 to 7. Within five miles of the Town, ratings can decline to 8 from 10, with a 10 percent to 20 percent discount on insurance premiums of homeowners.
How can members of the community assist WVFD, even if they aren’t volunteer fire fighters? Carraway cited:
Assistance with Department goals.
Completing pond use agreement forms.
Meeting with people and organizations to complete fire rating assessments.
Providing information as need to the rating bureau, pond certification personnel.
Assisting with grant writing for equipment and apparatus.
Data entry to state data bases related to reports, training, maintenance and inspections.
For information, call 601-265-1694 or email wessonfd@gamail.com. Members of the WVFD meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Spring Street fire station.
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