JULY 1, 2009: Four-firefighter minimum to return     The Maumelle Fire Department announced Tuesday afternoon (June 30) a plan to maintain minimum fire department staffing of four firefighters.     Mayor Mike Watson, Fire Chief George Glenn and Captain Shane Holmes, president of the Maumelle Professional Firefighters Association, met Tuesday to finalize a staffing plan that will provide for a minimum of four firefighters to be on duty every day. With four personnel on duty, both of the city’s engine companies will remain in service with a minimum of two firefighters each.     "The professional firefighters are pleased that all sides came together to solve this issue, which is very important to us and the people we serve," said Maumelle Professional Firefighters Secretary Michael Cossey. "Our firefighters solve problems for families and individuals every day. It's good to sit down with the mayor and fire chief and contribute solutions to these larger issues, as well."

JUNE 27, 2009: Firefighters hampered on first day of closures     When Maumelle firefighters were dispatched to a possible residential structure fire shortly after midnight Saturday morning (June 27), Engine Company 2 sat empty and quiet -- temporarily closed due to budget shortfalls.     The three career firefighters staffing Engine 1 responded and volunteer firefighters were dispatched for assistance. Responding members were soon notified that the call was actually a grass fire near the Gables Apartments and the construction site of new police & fire stations. Only one volunteer firefighter responded to the scene. A second volunteer, still in the probationary period and unable to complete some firefighting tasks or drive apparatus, remained at the station.     Firefighters were on scene for nearly an hour extinguishing and overhauling the site of the fire. The cause is undetermined at this time.     The 24-hour shift beginning at 7am June 26 was the first of multiple temporary engine closures planned this summer caused by a lack of funds in the department's overtime budget. Overtime has been necessary to staff both engine companies because seven of the 21 career firefighters are unavailable to work due to illness, injury, military leave or rookie training. JUNE 26, 2009: Budget concerns shut down Engine Company 2     If an emergency happens in the city of Maumelle this summer, there may not be a second fire engine leaving the station to help. Temporary shut downs -- called brown outs -- of Engine Company 2 began Friday, June 26.     The closures are necessitated by a shortage of funds in the department's overtime budget. Currently, seven of the 21 career firefighters are unable to work due to sickness, injury, military leave or training. With no money in the overtime budget, the department is unable to fill vacancies and will shut down an engine company any day fewer than four firefighters are able to report for duty.     The fire department began staffing two fire engines with a minimum of two firefighters last year after expanding the roster of career firefighters to 21 positions. Having a second engine company enhances the department's ability to respond to fires, but also allows for an immediate response to simultaneous emergencies without having to wait for volunteer firefighters to be paged and respond.     Since April 1, there have been 54 incidents that saw both engine companies respond to handle the situation. A total of 75 incidents since April 1 has occurred simultaneously, back-to-back or in close proximity to one another. JUNE 2, 2009: Heavy flames greet MFD at Counts Massie house fire    Maumelle Engine 1 and Engine 2 found heavy fire showing from the front of the house upon their arrival at 7009 Counts Massie Road Tuesday night (June 2).    The occupant of the residence stated that the house was empty and fire personnel initially determined the structure too unsafe to enter. The two career firefighters staffing each engine then went to work suppressing the fire. Engine Company 2 began fire attack with a deck gun and a 1.75" hose line while Engine Company 1 made the connection to the fire hydrant and laid a large diameter hose line to supply water.    Both companies, with the assistance of seven volunteer firefighters who also responded, brought the fire under control before fire spread throughout the small, wood-frame structure.    Fire Marshal John Payne was called to the scene to begin cause and origin determination. The fire remains under investigation. The fire saw all Maumelle fire apparatus -- Engine 1, Engine 2 and Brush 1 on scene. Truck 1 has been out of service with mechanical issues since May 1. MAY 30, 2009: The statues that will eventually become the centerpiece of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the grounds of the state capitol made a brief stop in Maumelle Saturday (May 30) at the Kroger store on Commons Drive.   Firefighters escort statues created to honor fallen    There was no multiple-alarm fire Saturday morning, but it may have sounded that way as an escort of fire engines guided the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial statues through Maumelle.    The statues stopped briefly to allow Maumelle citizens to see them up close. Approximately two dozen people milled around the 16-foot, 6,000 pound sculpture during its twenty-minute "whistlestop" in front of Kroger, which was arranged with the help of store manager Richard Highley.    Engine 1, Engine 2 & Brush 1 led the short parade from Interstate 40 to Commons Drive and again out Maumelle Blvd. into North Little Rock as the statues made their way to Saline County. They will be on display at the Benton Municipal Complex through June 20.    More than $700,000 has been raised (approximately 72% of total cost) for construction of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the west side of the state capitol. The memorial will include a fountain, small amphitheater and will feature the names of all 93 Arkansas firefighters who died in the line of duty.    There are still a number of ways to contribute to the memorial. In addition to donations, engraved granite pavers for the memorial grounds are being sold and specialty license plates are available to all motorists from the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration (see link at bottom of this page).    For more information about the memorial, visit arfallenfirefighters.org. Click thumbnail for larger image.

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