The Chief's Corner

April 2008

In previous articles I have nagged you to make sure we can find you incase of emergency. “Is your house or private driveway marked with numbers 3” or larger? Are numbers a color that can be easily seen against the background they are mounted to? Can these be seen clearly from the roadway?” Now I’m going to ask you, “Can our trucks make it down your private driveway?”

Emergency vehicles are much larger now. Our fire trucks are close to 12’ tall, 8’ wide and sometimes 35’ long. Narrow drives, gates, and cattle guards, make getting close to your home a real challenge. Another major problem that our district has encountered lately are driveways with large, low hanging tree limbs and trees too close to the roadway. On two recent alarm calls our personnel had to park the apparatus over 150 yards away from the structure. Had this been an actual structure fire the delays resulting from equipment not being readily accessible could have been tragic. Trees over roadways often make lousy neighbors, especially when tall, fast-growing trees are planted right next to the road or private driveway. This frequently becomes a problem for the firemen responding to help save and protect your family or yourself. Trimming tree limbs that are close to roadways and planning for clearance when planting shrubs and fast growing trees may one day be a major factor in an emergency response.

Cole County Fire Protection District (CCFPD) treats each call we receive with the same goal and objective – to protect and save life and property. We continue to maintain a balance between our requirements for safety and reliability with our commitment to being a good neighbor. Cole County Fire Protection District primary responsibility is to maintain public safety first and foremost.

CCFPD is committed to proving the best safety district wide with your help can and will be achieved. If you have questions regarding this or any fire related issue feel free to call our business office and I will have one of our capable Captains’ answer any and all questions.

Sincerely,

Donald Braun

Fire Chief Donald "Donnie" Braun