The 2024 resolution of the Winnfield Fire Department is community safety in effectiveness and efficiency through response to emergencies, Fire Chief Brian Montgomery said as the new year got under way this week.
“It’s the same goal we have every year: to improve not just our capabilities but the possibilities in both fire suppression and EMS (emergency medical services) response. Residents may not know that we respond to all 911 medical emergency calls in conjunction with the ambulance service. Our entire staff is trained in the emergency medical field, that now being a requirement for employment here.”
The city’s fire department responded to 749 calls in 2023, of which 590 were EMS. These could have been anything from heart attack to shortness of breath, unconsciousness, diabetic issues, lift assistance (falling), bodily injury, suicide attempts, drug overdose and more.
That doesn’t count response to traffic accidents, a category by itself, that saw the department called out 31 times. “In some of those, we had to extricate the victim. We carry two sets of extrication tools in vehicles smaller and swifter in response than our trucks,” the chief explained.
Montgomery went on: “Our goal is to be as efficient and effective as we can. We accomplish that through proficiency which comes through training. We’ve got signs posted through the building as reminders that say ‘Every day is a training day.’ We train every day in some capacity. In our job, we emphasize the preservation of life and property.”
During 2023, the department built up to its maximum staffing, more than any time in the past, with 10 fulltime firefighters, some part time and other volunteers who are on call.
Montgomery then pointed to two different aspects of fires, those being suppression and prevention. “By working hard on fire prevention, we can reduce the need for fire suppression. We strive towards fire prevention through education of the general public. This starts as early as preschool and intermediate through fire prevention handout materials. On the other end of the age spectrum it includes free installation of smoke detectors in the homes of the elderly or anybody, really. In doing so, we use the opportunity to discuss fire safety tips, to advise on fire evacuation plans and to help identify potential fire hazards in the home.”
(Editor’s note: Chief Montgomery has agreed to work with the Winn Parish Journal on periodic updates as the department works through 2024 towards a safer community and an improved fire rating. This, he said, will require not just department activity but also community involvement).