More Questions for the NRVFD

[JoeP]

Regarding the fire on Summit Lake Road last Saturday, the Sunday Times reported that the fire companies from Clarks Summit and Chinchilla were first on the scene and the blaze was extinguished in 10 minutes.  Both the Clarks Summit and Chinchilla companies are much further away, so why was the Newton Fire Department last on the scene?  You would think (hope) they would be first on the scene.  Is there a shortage of resources and/or volunteers?  Should Newton residents be concerned?

[Sal]

Hi Joe:

The other fire companies were closer to the location of the fire on Summit Lake Rd.  Chinchilla fire co. is about half the distance then NRVFC and for Chinchilla, it is a straight shot.  It is actually located on the same road just the name changes to Shady Lane Rd.  Clarks Summit was second closest, a little further than Chinchilla.  So, if everything was “equal” and everyone left at the same time, it would be Chinchilla first, Clarks Summit second and NRVFC last.

On top of that, not everything is equal.  NRVFC coverage area is Newton and Ransom which is huge compared to the other companies, and in this vast lightly populated area are the volunteers.  I think it would take a bit longer for them to get to the station compared to the others that are located in a small densely populated area.   It also looks like the others are better staffed which may be just because there are more people around.  Whenever I drive by, it looks like people are there and that has to cut down response time.

That’s my thoughts.  I moved your two posts to NRVFC section because they appear to be questions more than a beef.  Maybe someone from NRVFC can give a better answer.