When the Journal on January 3 spotted flashing lights and fire vehicles on S. Beville Street beside First Baptist Church, it stopped for a photo.  The Winnfield Fire Department had responded to a reported natural gas leak and the situation was under control.

This case was evidence that the department responds to a broad spectrum of public safety events, not just to put out raging house fires which makes for good “press.”

“As the Fire Department, our primary goal is actually fire prevention,” Fire Chief Brian Montgomery told the Journal.  “We work with public education on show how to prevent fires in the first place.  This cuts down on the events themselves.

“Unfortunately, there are still a wide range of calls that occur and we train, trying to prepare for them all.  These calls could be fires of structures, cars and trucks, equipment, woods, grass or tracts.  We also respond to hazardous materials calls like natural gas leaks or gasoline spills.  And there’s a whole line of emergency calls like lift assistance if someone elderly has fallen or individuals who are unresponsive, needing CPR.

“Our goal is to provide the most professional, well-trained response that we can.”  The chief pointed out “we always thank citizens and bystanders for any help they can provide.”