No start date for Susie Fire Department

By DEREK GREGORY

Staff Writer

The regular monthly meeting of the Susie Fire Protection District was held Monday, October 14 with all board of directors present.

No tentative date has been set for the official start of the fire department. Radio communication is still a troubling issue for the department. According to chairman Don Gregory, he spoke with a representative of Wilson and Deal Communications and noted they would try to relocate the service antenna at the local 911 Communications Center.

Gregory commented that after the installation is completed a relocation test would be administered. Gregory stated, "Hopefully this will work...and that it will provide 100 percent on-call service to firefighters."

Board member Bonnie Atkinson said she received word from Sam Shelton that the district was in need of more batteries for radio operations. Chief David Davis said that he could get them cheaper through a company on the Internet, however the district would have to pay for them up front.

The board still hasn’t received word on FEMA grants. Those grants, if received, are to be used for visual aid equipment such as projectors.

During last month’s meeting, the board agreed to request a $2,800 donation from Alltel, which would be appropriated for turnout gear. According to a statement from Alltel, they could not provide the full amount requested since they had just moved to Kentucky, but agreed to grant the district money to buy one turnout gear and that the money was "in the mail."

Also, Gregory suggested that the Susie Fire Protection District hold a benefit for the department before next spring. Gregory said that such things as a cookout, musical entertainment and raffles would be a good way to raise money.

In other action:

•Board member Forrest Sexton reported that he discussed blacktopping the area around the department with County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey. Ramsey stated that all money for blacktopping has been given out this year, but that it could be a possibility next year.

•The board agreed to order another fire suit and five pairs of boots.

•The board appointed Menvil Dishman to see that long-distance service be canceled on the district’s phone lines.

•The board accepted a prospective donation of a wench and brush guard from a fire department in the Campbellsville area.

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