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Fire Chief Givens: October saw 150 calls; department pursuing roughly $50,000 in equipment grants
Summary
Chief Givens told the council the fire department ran 150 calls in October — the most since January 2018 — has new hose and a new engine entering service, and has applied for several grants totaling about $50,000 for cardiac monitors, radios and extrication gear.
Fire Chief Givens reported to the Mountain Grove council that the department responded to 150 calls in October, the most for a single month since January 2018. He said the department has received new hose for its new fire engine, which staff are preparing to put into service this week.
The report highlighted recent training and community outreach: "We taught fire prevention to approximately 600 of our kids," Givens said, describing school visits that included demonstrations and safety lessons. He also said the department wrapped up a Fire 1 and 2 class in late October; "10 of the students passed all their skills," and the group is now awaiting state testing.
Givens outlined several pending grant applications to buy equipment. "So, altogether these grants are for approximately $50,000 worth of equipment," he said, naming a Leary firefighter foundation grant for cardiac monitors, a conservation grant for new radios, and a Firehouse Subs application (which the department has reapplied for to fund extrication tools). He said some applications remain under review and one award was not received but was re-applied for.
On training capacity, Givens described a new 40-hour introduction-to-fire-service class that MUFRTI will provide free of charge locally; the program is intended as a shorter bridge into the state certification pathway. "It's a 40 hour class, and then it you can progress on after that," he said, explaining the bridge could reduce time to state certification for new recruits.
Council members asked follow-up questions about the age range reached by school outreach (Givens said elementary through middle school) and details about the MU training program. Givens also reported the department's participation in a successful Truck-or-Treat event on the square and noted he has been contacting owners of condemned buildings; several owners have complied with required actions.
The chief closed his report by inviting questions; the council thanked him and moved on to the next agenda item.
