Fairfield Rural Fire Protection District's goal is to provide the best fire protection to our 220 square mile district while protecting the lives of our firefighters and all citizens in our district to the best of our ability. The district is funded by $67,341 of annual taxes and is governed by a five member board of trustees.
The district was formed in 1984 with no trucks or stations. Many years of work were put into the growth of the department with dozens of volunteers working on trucks and equipment.
In April of 2003, the district absorbed the dissolving Mill Shoals Fire Protection District which was operating with sub-standard equipment and poorly trained firefighters. The district chose to build a new station in Mill Shoals due to the age of the dilapidated station, which had multiple impractical additions and inefficient operating cost. In 2010, another 80 square miles of ground was annexed into our district, adding more ground and 100 additional residents. The district annexed this area due to the county voting for enhanced 911. This provides fire protection to residents that formally do not have fire protection.
The district has received five Assistance to Firefighter grants. In 2003, the grant was used to purchase 20 new SCBA’s and spare bottles. In 2004, the grant was used to purchase various hoses, nozzles, and appliances. In 2005, the grant was used to purchase a new air compressor and Cascade system. In 2007, the grant was used to purchase new turnout gear and a washer. In 2009, it was used for 30 new pagers and a repeater.
The district is all volunteer, with 40% of the members at the certified II level. All members are encouraged to take the certified II classes as their time permits and as the classes are available.
The district protects the area surrounding the City of Fairfield, which has three large residential areas. The district has a tremendous liability to protect; there are four elementary schools within the district. We have several major exposures such as two large propane storage facilities and one propane processing plant. The area is a farming community with two farm service companies that use anhydrous ammonia, herbicides, and pesticides. The Mill Shoals area has three small communities of approximately 250 people each. We also protect ten miles of federal interstate, nine miles of federal highway, thirteen miles of state highway, and thirteen miles of Norfolk Southern Railway System, which causes numerous hazards traveling through the county daily.
Last Updated: 8/09/2011 at 10:08 a.m. by Kelby Fenton