Volunteer fire departments in Lawrence County continue search for firefighters

Area volunteer fire departments are continuing their search for firefighters. Data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that 84% of departments across Arkansas are completely volunteer. That statistic is true in Imboden. The department is currently manned by 18 volunteers, which Fire Chief Bill Powell explained is a good number for the town. But recently, the department took over the Smithville Fire Department after its volunteer numbers drastically dropped. “That stretches us out because sometimes we’ve got a 14- to 15-minute response time to get to that area over there,” Powell said. “Response times are going to be hurting a little bit.” He said it’s a problem many small towns are seeing. “It’s getting harder to get people to volunteer and work in their community,” Powell stated.
KAIT-TV ABC/NBC/CW+ 8 Jonesboro

Vehicle drives into Fayetteville restaurant, sends one person to hospital

VIDEO: A vehicle drives into the Flying Burrito restaurant on College Avenue in Fayetteville on April 30 injuring two people. According to Sgt. Steven Mauk with the Fayetteville Police Department, a multiple-vehicle crash on College Ave. sent one vehicle off the road and into the restaurant drive-thru area. An employee in that part of the building was pinned in, creating a complex rescue for the Fayetteville Fire Department. “It’s a fairly labor intensive job, especially if you have two vehicles out in the roadway or in the ditch, but in this case, you have structural components of the building and also you have the feed of natural gas, water, and electricity to consider,” Battalion Chief Travis Boudrey said. Boudrey said they cut off the utilities and firefighters were able to get the employee out through the window.
KNWA-TV NBC 51 Rogers

Ash Flat Fire Department hosts car show to raise money for new equipment

VIDEO: A Northeast Arkansas fire department held a car show fundraiser to try and purchase new equipment. The Ash Flat Fire Department held its inaugural classic car show at the city’s veteran memorial. Different cars by year and specialty classes were able to be entered. Firefighter Shaina Manning explained the equipment is needed to make vehicle accident scenes safer for both victims and first responders. “We’re looking at getting some struts and J hooks. It’s used to stabilize vehicles in wrecks, helps keep the people inside safe, helps keep us safe from things rolling on top of people, or collapsing down a hill,” Manning explained. The fire department is still far from its goal, but every little bit helps.
KAIT-TV ABC/NBC/CW+ 8 Jonesboro