Chester VFD busy in 2009
By NANCY TULLIS, For The Weirton Daily TimesCHESTER - Chester's volunteer firefighters had more calls in 2009 than Councilman Brian Handley can recall in his 16 years with the department.
According to the department's annual report Handley distributed at Monday's city council meeting, the department had 142 responses in 2009, compared to 116 in 2008. Handley is the fire department's secretary. He said of the 142 responses in 2009, 86 were first-responder calls.
The busiest month was April with 18 calls. Saturday and Sunday were the busiest days during the year, with 26 and 25 calls respectively, on those days.
Handley also recorded average response time for calls in the city limits at four minutes, three seconds from initial call out until the first unit is en route; and five minutes, eight seconds from initial alarm until the first unit arrives at the scene. The department averaged a response of six firefighters per call, he said.
There were 26 calls between midnight and 8:01 a.m., 55 between 8:02 a.m. and 4 p.m., and 61 between 4:01 p.m. and 11:59 p.m., Handley reported.
He said there was $104,500 in fire damage in the city in 2009, primarily from three structure fires.
The department's total revenue for the year was $365,000. Major expenditures included $195,00 for general station repairs of remodeling, replacing a gas line and tap at the front of the building, and replacing water-damaged ceiling tiles in the truck bay.
Expenses for equipment purchases totaled $174,00, including payments on the ladder truck, two new rescue boats, trailer and jet motors; a depth finder, two marine band radios, and lights and sirens for the new boats. Additionally, $55,000 was spent on general maintenance and repair of fire trucks.
The ladder truck is an aerial truck delivered in 2008. The department is making payments on a 15-year loan, Handley said. The department's oldest vehicle is now a 1989 vehicle that has required only limited maintenance despite its age.
Handley noted that the new boats are flat bottomed and can be used in depths as shallow as six inches. The new boats replace boats the department has had in service since 1966.
In an effort to secure a regular income for the department in addition traditional fundraising projects, the department purchased 3.5 acres of land on U.S. 30 in June. According to the report, the property includes a rental house, garage, small barn and shed.
The department has rental income from the property and borrowed $300,000 in September for construction of rental storage units. Handley said the department saw the need to boost fundraising although the annual Fall Bash continues to be successful as the department's major fundraiser.
In his report Handley noted firefighters thought the rental property and construction rental storage units to be a good source of income. He said BINGO events supported the department for many years, but then members saw that funding source dry up.
The Fall Bash was a sold-out event for the seventh straight year, and sold-out much more quickly than in previous years, he said. Revenue generated from fundraisers and donations totaled $240,000, Handley noted.
Training activities in 2009 included first aid and CPR, emergency vehicle operations, driver and pump operations, Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II sessions; and hazardous material awareness. Firefighters also trained at the station on use of the new rescue boats, the aerial truck, pumper and the hovercraft.
Firefighters participated in fire safety activities, particularly during Fire Prevention Week in October. The theme for Fire Prevention Week was "Be Fire Smart, Don't Get Burned." Firefighters spoke to nearly 600 students in preschool through fourth grades.
Newell and Lawrenceville volunteer firefighters assisted in elementary programs and Weirton firefighters demonstrated a fire-safety trailer with fourth-grade students participating.
Handley said the department is planning Fire Prevention Week activities for 2010. Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 3-9.
Handley and other officers retained their administrative positions for 2010.
The department has 16 members with total combined experience of 202 years. Firefighter Eric Cline retired in 2009 after 15 years of service.
The roster as of Dec. 31, 2009 is as follows:
John Hissam, chief, 39 years; Todd Murray, assistant chief, 29 years; Steve Marek, captain, 28 years; Steve Kourpas, firefighter, 13 years; Eric Murray, first lieutenant, 26 years; Brian Handley, secretary, 16 years; John Cashdollar, treasurer, 13 years; Leon Huff, firefighter, eight years; Chris Wade, firefighter, eight years; Bill Blinn, second lieutenant, eight years; and firefighters Jason Lively, five years; Coy Lively, three years; Tommy Patterson, two years, Brad Murray, two years, Matt Cashdollar, two years, Melvin Brown, less than one year. Trustees are Kenny Thorn, George Cowey and Bill Miller.
(Tullis can be contacted at ntullis@reviewonline.com)
