Flo residents: Expect a long wait in case of fire

Three of the six trucks in the Flo Volunteer Fire Department fleet. Sherry Four years ago this Christmas our family was together at our place in Flo and decided to burn one of our burn piles that decorated the pasture. When we started the fire the wind was hardly noticeable but about the time the flames were at their peak the wind suddenly shifted and picked up briskly. Within a few minutes there were small fires spreading in the dry grass and kids and grandkids were scurrying trying to beat them down with wet towels.

My husband Paul told me, in a very calm voice, “Sherry, call 911.”

I told him there was nothing to be alarmed about and that the kids could handle the fire. Within a few minutes Paul said “Sherry, call 911 now!”

I went into the house and called 911 just as I was told. By the time I got back to the fire it was spreading past the perimeter of the family circle and was obviously beyond our control. The family was still trying to put it out but the black scar of burnt grass kept growing across our north pasture.

Within minutes fire trucks from the Flo Volunteer Fire Department showed up and helped keep the fire from spreading to our neighbor’s land where there could easily be a forest fire. About 30 minutes later trucks from Buffalo VFD arrived and then Jewett was on the scene.

There is no doubt that because the Flo VFD was able to respond quickly, property and possibly injuries were held in check. And for that I am extremely grateful.

The point of this long saga is that as of last week Flo VFD must wait for Buffalo VFD, Centerville VFD or Oakwood VDF to mobilize them before they can respond to an emergency call.

The reason? A complaint was filed with the Leon County Sheriff and because FVFD is not a first responder they are no longer allowed to take their trucks out until they are activated by one of the three fire departments already mentioned.

Richard Blanchard, FVFD Chief, said the fire department has six trucks including two brush trucks, one rescue van, one tanker and two pumpers. The newest truck is a pumper which can pull water out of a lake or pond. FVFD members meet once per month and have regular training sessions. Six members are trained in CPR. Standard operating procedure is to function as backup, helping with traffic control, water supply, hose handling and other assists.

Until receiving the new directives last week, Blanchard said FVFD would go out when they heard a dispatch for the Flo area. Because of the remoteness of the community the Flo firefighters often arrived several minutes before the “first responder”. They would do whatever was within the realm of their responsibility until the primary fire department arrived.

According to Pat Bell, Leon County Emergency Director, in order to become a “first responder” and have a designated area FVFD must first have a heated building to be used as a fire station housing truck and equipment. The purpose of the heated building is to prevent tanks and hoses from freezing. Once the station is erected and proper equipment and training is in place for FVFD to respond to any type of emergency call, the three surrounding fire departments would meet with Flo and come to a consensus about the area designation. The FVFD could then get an ISO rating.

Until that time Flo residents who have an emergency need to be aware that response time is likely to be 30 minutes or more for Buffalo or Oakwood to arrive.