Burns Recovered

District 12

There is always something going on in District 12 and I missed giving you all an update in the last issue, life was happening.

Congratulations to Chief Eddie Gilbert of Steele Fire Department for 60 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Steele. If you ever have a chance to go to Steele, Chief Gilbert is a great host and a wealth of information. A few years ago I had the opportunity to teach a class in Steele. The last day of class was a pile fire. Chief Gilbert and the Steele firefighters built a pile that was more like a two room cabin built out of pallets and then loaded the inside with pallets. We got some awesome burns that day. I’ve tried to recreate that size of pallet shack but never could get it the size that those guys built, that was stable enough to withstand the burns we got that day.

Another congratulations goes to Chief Charlie Jones of the Caruthersville Fire Department. Chief Jones is retiring on May 31 after 53 years of service to the people of Caruthersville. Chief Jones has been a great friend for many years. His wisdom and experience will be missed around Southeast Missouri at meetings and on the fireground. We wish you the best in this next chapter and thank you for your dedication, service, and friendship through the years.

It’s that time of year again for collecting money to help send burn victims to summer camp. Fruitland Area Fire Protection District firefighters and an administrative assistant spent two days on the streets collecting for Burns Recovered. Some students at Saxony Lutheran High School saw the firefighters out on the streets and wanted to help. The students got together and did a “dress down day” to help raise money for these kids who have been burned, to experience summer camp. A big thank you to the people of the Fruitland area that contributed and to Saxony Lutheran High School faculty, staff, and students for your support.

Until next time stay safe out there and thank you for all you do for your communities.