Exeter fire 911 calls stay consistent in 2021

Wheaton calls decreased, medical calls went up

BY JORDAN TROUTMAN jtroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The Exeter and Wheaton fire protection districts responded to more than 500 combined 911 calls in 2021, with about 300 of being medical calls.

The Wheaton Fire Protection District received 294 911 calls in 2021, a decrease of approximately 50 calls from 2020.

Wheaton received 135 medical calls, an increase from 2020.

Lindy Lombard, Wheaton Fire Protection District fire chief, said even though the general call volume went down, the focus for the department is to keep volunteers trained.

We are trying to keep the district patrons aware of fire dangers during high wind and other scenarios. I think that is why grass fires have gone down.”

In 2021, the Wheaton Fire Protection District started a Junior Cadet program.

“We have two cadets now,” Lombard said. “It is a great way to get kids involved and encourage them to join the district. Volunteers are hard to keep.” a mutual grant with Stella and Midway. We will receive approximately 15 new devices to replace 25 year old equipment.”

If someone is interested in volunteering, they should reach out to the Wheaton Fire Protection District Facebook page, or call Lombard at 417847-7568.

The Wheaton Fire Protection District received 22 controlled burn calls in 2021, 9 landing zone calls, 2 outside fire, 3 outside smoke investigations, 27 structure fires, 4 vehicle and 32 traffic/transportation incidents (crash) calls.

The biggest change in call types from 2020 was structure fires, with only 9 in 2020.

The Exeter Fire Protection District received 253 911 calls in 2021, a decrease by 5 calls from 2020.

Donny Chad, Exeter Fire Protection District fire chief, said the calls did stay steady, but over all the district had less structure fires.

“That may have something to do with the weather,” Chad said. “Not being in such a drought helped, also educating the public about when and when not to burn makes a difference.”

The Exeter Fire Protection District received a FEMA grant in 2021 for new SCBA’s and 18 new sets of bunker gear.

“That is 18 new coats, pants, helmets, gloves, really everything a fireman needs,” he said. “That is about $3,000 worth of equipment per person. We are getting 12 SCBA’s, which is about $88,000 in total. Without this grant, this wouldn’t be possible.”

In 2022, the Exeter Fire Protection District will continue with training and be involved with the public more.

Second

notice reminders sent by Assessor’s Office

Barry County Assessor Sherry L. Smith has announced that the second notice reminders for the 2022 Personal Property and Business Assessment Lists are scheduled to be mailed out soon. The reminders will be mailed in the form of a post card. Original assessment lists that were mailed out on Jan. 4 are due by March 1 of each year. However, residents still have time to file a list online or personally turn it in at the Assessor’s Office, without receiving a late assessment penalty, providing the list is received in the office by March 31. Those who have already returned a list, didn’t receive an assessment list in January, or receive a second notice post card from the Assessor’s Office should contact the office immediately at 417847-2613 to be properly assessed before the final late assessment penalty deadline. New county residents not receiving a form need to call the Assessor’s Office or go to the office, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fairboard to meet

There will be a Barry County Fairboard meeting held in the Cassville High School Agriculture Building on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone interested in planning or supporting the Barry County Fair. For more details, people may consult the Barry County Fair Facebook page or contact Jimmy Hinson or Jordan Ellis at 417-847-3137.

Voter tabulation equipment to be tested

Barry County Clerk Joyce Ennis reports a public pre-election tabulation test of the electronic tabulating equipment for the April 5, 2022, General Municipal Election. It will be held at 9 a.m. on March 23 in the County Clerk’s Office.

Capps Creek Road District meeting

The Capps Creek Road District will meet in regular session on March 15 at noon at the home of Garry and Pam Bartkoski, located at 5086 Farm Road 2057 Monett. The public is welcome to attend.

Quilt Guild hosting fundraiser

The Table Rock Quilt Guild is hosting a fundraiser for the Kimberling Area Library on April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food, a quilt shop vendor, a gift boutique and a presentation of numerous flower-themed quilts with discussion on how they were made. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Corrections

The Cassville Democrat corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please email Editor Kyle Troutman at editor@cassville-democrat.com

“Being on the far western side of the county, the nearest ambulance is 20 minutes away,” Lombard said. “We do our best, but we are not able to go on all medical calls. A lot of times, those are coming in during normal working hours, and we are a volunteer district.”

Lombard said the Wheaton Fire Protection District will continue to work on responding to those medical calls.

“We have our people in classes to keep them trained,” he said. “The overall call volume is down.

“Our district patrons are becoming more aware of fire risks,” he said. “That is why we have more calls for controlled burns. To keep the call volume down, we have to keep the district patrons educated and how to be cognizant about fire and medical 911 calls.”

The Wheaton district also has a mutual aid with Newton and McDonald counties.

“In 2021, we added the two cadets, and two firemen,” Lombard said. “By the end of 2022 we will receive new SCBA, breathing apparatuses, through

“The auto aid responses count for calls to our district as well,” he said. “For medical calls, a lot of times it depends on where the ambulance is coming from, there can be an extended wait time.”

146 of the calls from 2021 were medical, the highest call types for the district.

“Financially, it is hard to get everyone certified as EMT’s,’ Chad said. “Traffic calls have gone down it seems. We definitely had less motor vehicle accidents, but there is no way to predict that.”

Vegetation fires in Exeter also went down in 2021.

“Each year we go to the school for Fire Prevention Week,” Chad said. “We have to continue with public education and planning. You can never plan too much for a disaster. We need to be prepared for anything that happens.”

In 2021, the Exeter Fire Protection District, received 12 controlled burn calls, 2 911 calls for explosion, 2 outside fires, 27 structure fires, 15 traffic/transportation incident (crash), and 7 vehicle fires. Call volumes and call types stayed consistent from 2020 to 2021, except for traffic/transportation incidents, which went from 32 in 2020 to only 15 in 2021.