Archive for July 2023
FCFD holding Citizen Fire Academy
The Fredericktown Community Fire District, in conjunction with the Fredericktown Firefighters Association is hosting a Citizens Fire Academy on October 14 from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the firehouse. The academy will provide participants with the experience of what it’s like to be a firefighter with both hands-on work and classroom instruction as well.
“This event is one that the department has wanted to do for several years now and been in our vision, but with the pandemic was impossible to make happen,” said FCFD Assistant Chief Jason Bostic. “Many academies and departments across the United States operate such programs from a recruitment or educational standpoint. ”
There are a limited number of student spaces available for this academy that is open for ages 12 and up. Ages 12-15 that wish to attend this academy must have a participating parent or guardian present during the event. Participants will receive lunch, a certificate of participation, and a free t-shirt. Register by September 15th to guarantee a t-shirt from the event.
Some of the training covered throughout the day includes department history, apparatus, equipment, tools, fire extinguishers, fire hose operations, water rescue, fire gear, and we will finish the day with vehicle extrication. Parts of the academy will be instructed by different fire personnel with experience in the field they are speaking on. Members of our fire cadet program will also be participating during the day to assist instruction. A committee of firefighters is responsible for getting this program off the ground and designing it for our fire district.
“Maybe you’re interested in becoming a firefighter or as a youth, being a member of the fire cadet program, then this is the event for you,” said Assistant Chief Bostic. “We are excited to bring this recruitment and educational program to our community to inform others that may have interest.”
For more information you can visit the website at www.fredericktownfire.net or our Facebook page by searching FCFD Station 410. Registration links will be there or you can register by calling the firehouse at 740-694-9701.
The Fredericktown Community Fire District is a combination department of part-time and paid-per-call volunteers that provides fire and rescue services within our 118 square mile district. We operate from two firehouses, one in Fredericktown and the other at the Pike Township House. We have a total of nine apparatus within our fleet of vehicles. The FCFD currently
has 25 members with the majority possessing their Firefighter II certification. In addition to firefighters, we have eight fire cadets that are currently in high school that provide support functions. We have a diverse group of men and women that come from various backgrounds that fill the ranks of our department.
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FCFD Replacement levy on ballot November 7
Residents of the Fire District will see a 1-mil fire protection replacement levy on the November 7 ballot that will replace a levy that was originally voted on in 2003. At the January board meeting of the Fredericktown Community Fire District the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to seek this replacement levy.
According to data from the Knox County Auditor’s Office the levy will generate an estimated $235,931 per year, up from the current $158,200. This breaks down to an estimated increase of $12.24 for every $100,000 of property valuation, or to break it down further about 3-cents per day.
“Our operational budget relies on the passage of the levies that exist for the fire district,” said FCFD Chief Scott Mast. “The members of this community that we serve have supported us extremely well and we are grateful for all they have done so that we can provide these critical services.”
The replacement levy will generate roughly $77,731 additional for the fire district per year just by funding being based off current property valuations.
“Discussions at board meetings about the eventual need for this go back over the last five years,” said Chief Mast. “A replacement levy essentially brings our funding back to a level prior to putting on daytime staffing and will allow us to focus additional on long term goals of the district.”
While this levy was voted on in 2003, the only reason it went before district voters then was to reword and remove the Village of Chesterville at that time. Realistically, the verbiage and milage from this levy date back to 1983.
A significant amount has changed since the levy was voted on in 2003, financial crisis, two recessions, and a worldwide pandemic just to name the major items that have significantly affected the economy in one form or another. Meanwhile the cost of operations across the board haven’t just increased, they have exploded.
“Very few entities that are funded by property taxes can say that they have went this long without seeking a renewal or change to increase funding and that is a significant accomplishment,” said Assistant Chief Jason Bostic. “We expect increases from time to time, but inflation and the cost of products and goods that are required in our line of work have had a tremendous financial impact.”
Expenses just aren’t on the rise, the call volume that the fire district handles has increased by 102-percent when this levy and rate was originally voted in. Some equipment and gear that the district purchases have seen price increases of over 500-percent in the last two decades.
“We can’t control the growth within the district, inflation, and cost of doing business,” said Assistant Chief Bostic. “We have utilized grants and other methods to save our taxpayers well over a half million dollars during the same time of this levy we are discussing. This has been diligent work on behalf of many with fiscal responsibility, leadership decisions, community support, and even creativity.”
The Fredericktown Community Fire District is a combination department of part-time and paid-per-call volunteers that provides fire and rescue services within our 118 square mile district. We operate from two firehouses, one in Fredericktown and the other at the Pike Township House. We have a total of nine apparatus within our fleet of vehicles. The FCFD currently
has 25 members with the majority possessing their Firefighter II certification. In addition to firefighters, we have eight fire cadets that are currently in high school that provide support functions. We have a diverse group of men and women that come from various backgrounds that fill the ranks of our department.
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