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| 2006 Headlines |
| News
Archives: 2008 | 2007 |
2006 | 2005 |
2004 | 2003 12.31.06 - MFD responds to aid stabbed police officer 12.31.06 - Firefighters urge safe celebration of holiday 12.25.06 - Fire department sets new annual run record 12.16.06 - B-Shift Counts Massie Car FIre Suspected Stolen 12.08.06 - Three fires among seven A-Shift runs on Dec. 8 10.08.06 - Engine 1, Volunteers respond to Blvd. roll-over 09.30.06 - MFD responds to early morning Club Manor fatality 09.25.06 - Engine 1 returns to service after month away 09.15.06 - Glover steps down as MFD administrative assistant 08.31.06 - Fire department sets monthly run record 08.25.06 - Judge Villines lifts county burn ban 08.25.06 - Firefighters make quick work of early AM car fire 08.11.06 - Firefighters break response records following storm 08.10.06 - Maumelle firefighters assist with Cajot Junior High blaze 07.21.06 - MFD battles heat from sun & flames at Meadowridge house fire 07.01.06 - Department ties montly record wih 117 runs in June 06.20.06 - Engine 1 A Shift responds to fatal I-40 wreck 05.__.06 - Survival Kids graduates fifth class of students 05.__.06 - Firefighters conduct annual hydrant testing 04.23.06 - New engine arrives for good, gets to work 04.23.06 - Mobile Air Unit responds to fatal Oak Grove fire 04.05.06 - MFD extricates three from CATA transit bus 03.25.06 - Maumelle firefighters battle Oakridge house fire 03.24.06 - Firefighters honored at Rotary banquet 03.12.06 - Twenty-one runs in three days keeps Maumelle firefighters busy 03.09.06 - Firefighters volunteer as servers for seniors 02.08.06 - MFD makes preparations for new engine, tools 01.29.06 - Firefighters stop fire early in attic, save house 01.28.06 - Engine 1 returns to front line service 01.26.06 - Plans for joint police-fire complex scrubbed 01.25.06 - Firefighters battle fire at Pine Forest high rise 01.22.06 - Firefighters quickly contain garage fire 01.06.06 - Department awarded federal FIRE Act grant 01.03.06 - Once again, first fire comes quickly for MFD |
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| 12.31.06 |
| MFD responds to aid stabbed police officer |
| The 1,145th and final
run of 2006 came at approximately 6:30 p.m. New Year's Eve as the fire
department's C-Shift was dispatched to aid Maumelle Police Officer Greg Roussie,
who was stabbed by an intruder in a home at 6 Fairway Drive. According to news reports, Officer Roussie was investigating an alarm call at the residence when he was attacked. Roussie was transported by MEMS to an area hospital, where he remained in stable condition Monday morning. News agencies report that the alleged attacker, Scott Hiserodt of Maumelle, has been arrested and charged with attempted capital murder among other charges relating to the events of Sunday night. MaumelleFire.Com offers its best wishes for a speedy recovery for Officer Roussie. |
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| 12.31.06 |
| Firefighters urge safe celebration of the holiday |
| As Maumelle residents
prepare to celebrate New Year's Eve, Maumelle firefighters remind
them to practice safety if using fireworks as part of
those celebrations. City ordinance states that fireworks can only be discharged between 12:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Day. Also, fireworks can not be discharged in front of a crowd of 25 or more people unless approved by the chiefs of the police and fire departments. Violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $100 in addition to court costs. To help reduce injuries this year, please remember that only persons 12 years of age or older should handle sparklers. Too many small children are burned each year because they don't understand how hot sparklers burn. Also, don't alter or combine fireworks or build your own. Approximately 30% of the 10,000 injuries suffered annually nationwide are caused by illegal or homemade fireworks. For more information, visit our FIREWORKS PAGE for safety tips and a copy of the local fireworks ordinance. |
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| 12.25.06 |
| Fire Department sets new annual run record |
| For the fifth
consecutive year, Maumelle firefighters have set a new record
for annual responses. Members of the department's C-Shift
began their Christmas Day tour of duty one run shy of the
2005 mark of 1,121 responses. With four medical emergencies
during their shift, the MFD tied the previous mark and then surpassed
it. In 2001, firefighters handled 509 incidents. Each year since, the fire department has best its previous record with 578 incidents in 2002, 711 in 2003, 805 in 2004 and 1,121 in 2005. This increase in demand for services is apparently tied to Maumelle's growing population. According to census figures, Maumelle has added approximately 5,000 citizens since 2000 and is projected to be home to more than 20,000 by 2010. |
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| 12.16.06 |
| B-Shift Counts Massie car fire is suspected stolen |
| At approximately 3 a.m. Saturday (12-16) morning, Maumelle firefighters were dispatched to Counts Massie Road near Natural Trail for a report of a car fire. Upon arrival, Engine 1 B-Shift found a passenger car well-involved with fire. Firefighters stretched a single 1.75" hoseline to extinguish the fire. The car, which appeared stripped down and was suspected to be stolen, was actually located within the North Little Rock city limits. North Little Rock police & fire were requested and responded to the scene. Also responding for the call were Chief 501 and five Maumelle volunteers. |
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| 12.08.06 |
| Three fires among seven A-shift runs on Dec. 8 |
| Two chimney fires and
a fire on a construction site were among the seven responses by Maumelle
Fire Department's A Shift on Friday, December 8. The first fire of the day came at 12:25 p.m. when Engine 1 was dispatched for a fire on an Audubon Drive construction site. Upon arrival next door to 120 Audubon Drive, they found a tar kettle on fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire. The site is the future location of a Starbucks. Damage to the building was limited to melted insulation. At approximately 7:18 p.m., Engine 1, Truck 1, A-Shift & five volunteers were dispatched to 101 Summit Valley Circle for a chimney fire. Firefighters made quick work of the situation by closing the flue and extinguishing the flames inside the chimney. Firefighters responded at 11:36 p.m. to 101 Pine Forest Drive, Apt. 8 after police officers reported a possible chimney fire. Once again, members extinguished the fire and rendered the situation safe. The other four calls of the shift included three medical emergencies and an electrical malfunction that caused smoke inside a vehicle. |
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| 10.08.06 |
 The driver and lone occupant of this SUV escaped without injury following a roll-over accident Sunday (Oct. 8) night along Maumelle Blvd. near Arnold Palmer Drive. |
| Engine 1, Volunteers respond to Boulevard roll-over |
| The Maumelle Fire
Department was dispatched shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 8) for a roll-over
accident in the median of Maumelle Blvd. near Arnold Palmer Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters found that the driver and lone occupant of the four-door SUV had freed himself from the vehicle on his own. After being checked for injuries by firefighters and MEMS ambulance, the driver left the scene in the custody of Maumelle police. Members of the department then assisted in clean-up of the scene, including spilled automotive fluids on the roadway. |
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| 09.30.06 |
 The driver of this Pontiac Sunbird was killed when the vehicle struck a tree in the front yard of 27 Club Manor Drive early Saturday morning. |
| MFD responds to early morning Club Manor fatality |
| Maumelle firefighters
were dispatched shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday morning (Sept. 30) for a report
of a vehicle accident involving a tree near 27 Club Manor Drive. Upon arrival,
they found a passenger car with heavy damage and the driver entrapped
inside. Members of Engine 1-C Shift and Maumelle volunteer firefighters freed the driver from the wreckage using hydraulic rescue tools -- commonly referred to as the "Jaws of Life." However, the patient was pronounced dead on the scene. Firefighters have responded to more than 50 motor vehicle accidents this year. Saturday's accident was the city's first traffic fatality of 2006. |
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| 09.25.06 |
| Engine 1 returns to service after month away |
| Maumelle's newest pumper
-- a 2006 Smeal -- returned to service late Monday night (Sept. 25)
after more than a month spent away from the city undergoing warranty
repairs. The pumper, which has responded to more than 400 calls since
first joining the fleet in late April, has been out of service
since August 20. Among the work completed was the addition of a front intake on the engine's bumper, replacement of a defective tire and inspection of the truck's engine brake. The department has been operating with their reserve pumper -- a 1994 E-One -- during the Smeal's absence. |
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| 09.15.06 | ||
| Glover steps down as MFD administrative assistant | ||
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| 08.31.06 |
| Fire department sets monthly run record |
| In
a month that saw firefighters respond to 20 calls for service in
a nearly two-hour period on August 11, the Maumelle Fire Department
set a new monthly run record with 119 calls for service. The previous record of 117 calls was reached twice -- first in May 2005 and again in June of this year. In 2005, the department averaged 93 runs per month. The monthly average has increased to 99 calls in 2006. |
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| 08.25.06 |
| Judge Villines lifts county burn ban |
| The
recent rain storms throughout Pulaski County have now provided enough moisture
for County Judge Buddy Villines to lift the burn ban that has been in place
since July 17. Villines lifted the ban Thursday (August 24) afternoon and the Maumelle Fire Department resumed approval of burn permits at 8 am Friday. Permits that expired while the burn ban was in effect must be renewed by the fire department before burning. As always, all permit holders must call the fire department and receive permission each day before burning. |
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| 08.25.06 |
 Firefighter Shane Holmes knocks down the fire in a burning Chevrolet Impala at 600 Pine Forest Drive early Friday (August 25) morning. |
| Firefighters make quick work of early AM car fire |
| Maumelle
Engine Company 1 (C Shift) was dispatched shortly after 2 am Friday morning
(August 25) for a car fire in the parking lot of 600 Pine Forest Dr. Maumelle
police units on patrol in the city were first to arrive and found a 2000
Chevrolet Impala heavily involve with fire. Firefighters quickly stretched
a 1.75" attack line, protected adjacent vehicles and extinguished the fire. The firefighters responded to the blaze with Engine 2, the 1994 E-One pumper that serves as a reserve engine. Engine 1, the new 2006 Smeal, was out of service for preventative maintenance. |
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| 08.11.06 |
| Firefighters break response records following storm |
| Until
this month, the most runs by the Maumelle Fire Department
in a 24-hour shift was twelve. That record was shattered
and forgotten Friday night (August 11) as rain and heavy winds sent firefighters
to 20 calls for service in a span of little more than two hours -- a
rate of more than one call every seven minutes! Three on-duty firefighters, two off-duty firefighters recalled to duty and six volunteer firefighters handled the calls with all four pieces of the fire department's fleet -- Engine 1, Engine 2, Truck 1 & Brush 1. The majority of the responses were for trees that had fallen -- landing on home or blocking streets. In addition to the storm-related responses, Engine 1 B-shift responded to five other calls during their 24-hour shift to set a new department record of 25 runs in one shift. |
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| 08.10.06 |
| Maumelle firefighters assist with Cabot Junior High blaze |
| A
group of four Maumelle firefighters, Chief 501 and the department's brush
truck were sent to the City of Cabot shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday (August
10) evening to assist as that city continued to battle a large fire at Cabot
Junior High North. According to news reports, the fire began between 2:30
and 3 pm in the school's cafeteria. Maumelle joined more than a dozen other
departments from Lonoke and Pulaski counties at the scene. After assisting
in extinguishment and mop up at the school, Maumelle firefighters
returned home after midnight Friday morning. |
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| 07.21.06 |
 Flames had already broken through the roof of this home at 15 Holly Brook Circle before firefighters could be dispatched to the call. Despite the advanced fire and 100+ degree air temperature, firefighters made quick work of the fire -- knocking it down within 15 minutes of their arrival on scene. |
| MFD battles heat from sun & flames at Meadowridge house fire |
| A
neighbor who saw smoke coming from the house at 15 Holly Brook Cove watched
as the smoke quickly turned to flames while reporting the fire to Maumelle
911 Communications Friday (July 21) afternoon. Faced with a well established
fire and 100+ degree heat, the Maumelle firefighters that quickly responded
to the call had their work cut out for them. Members of Engine 1's A-Shift, Fire Chief George Glenn and three members of the volunteer division responded to the initial alarm. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire showing through the roof -- indicating that much of the house was on fire. Using handlines and a master stream from Engine 1, firefighters had the fire knocked down within 15 minutes and had extinguished the main body of the fire within 30 minutes. All available off-duty personnel were recalled to the city to assist in the fire and an additional three volunteers responded later in the incident to assist. Requests were made to the North Little Rock and Little Rock Fire Departments for mutual aid to assist in the fire. However, North Little Rock was only able to provide one engine company and Little Rock was unable to provide any companies due to working fires in both cities. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time. |
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| 07.01.06 |
| Department ties monthly record with 117 runs in June |
| Maumelle
firefighters tied the all-time monthly record for responses in June with
117 calls for service. The record was originally set in May 2005. As recent as four years ago, fire engines responded to fewer than 50 calls per month on average. As the city's population climbs -- now above 15,000 according the Census Bureau -- so do the number of times citizens request the services of the fire department. In June, firefighters handled 24 fire-related emergencies, 76 emergency medical responses and 17 other calls for service -- including extricating trapped persons from accidents, gas leaks and odor investigations. Engine 1-B answered the most calls during the month with 43. However, Engine 1-A set a shift record for monthly runs with 41 -- breaking the 40-run mark for the first time. |
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| 06.20.06 |
 The driver and lone occupant of this tractor trailer died before he could be rescued by firefighters attempting to extricate him from the wreckage. Firefighters from Maumelle and North Little Rock responded to the one-vehicle accident shortly before 9 am Tuesday morning. |
| Engine 1 A-Shift responds to fatal I-40 wreck |
| Firefighters
from three area departments -- including members of Maumelle's A-shift --
responded Tuesday morning (June 20) to a tractor-trailer roll-over accident
on I-40 that resulted in the heavy entrapment of the driver. Shortly before 9 am, a tractor-trailer hauling wood products left the roadway of I-40 and rolled over onto its top along the tree-lined median. Upon arrival, firefighters found the unrestrained driver alive but severely trapped inside. Even after firefighters forced their way into the cab and cut away part of the tractor's interior with hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life), they found the driver to still be pinned by the wreckage. After more than an hour was spent trying to free him, the driver died from his injuries before he could be extricated from the truck. In all, Maumelle Engine 1, Oak Grove Rescue 1 and North Little Rock Engine 8 & Rescue 1 responded to the scene with multiple units from Metropolitan EMS, a helicopter from Air-Evac and numerous other units -- including Pulaski County Haz-Mat. Maumelle personnel were on scene for nearly three hours. The accident shut down west-bound traffic on I-40 for much of the morning and caused travel delays through the evening rush hour. Maumelle firefighters have responded to more than 30 motor vehicle accidents this year, including three that required use of the department's Jaws of Life. |
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| 05.06 |
| Survival Kids graduates fifth class of students |
| Members
of the Class of 2014 -- fourth-graders at Pine Forest Elementary and Immaculate
Heart of Mary School -- became the fifth class of students to complete the
Maumelle Fire Department's Survival Kids program this month. The Survival Kids program, which is directed by Captain Tim Bullard, includes seven monthly lessons presented by Maumelle firefighters in fourth-grade classrooms at each of the schools. The lessons include such diverse topics as bicycle safety, stranger danger & severe weather safety in addition to the traditional lessons of fire and burn prevention. Earlier in May, students completed a final exam consisting of seven quizes for each of the monthly topics. Students passing all seven of the quizes were presented with the honorary rank of fire chief. Thirteen students -- eight from Pine Forest and five from Immaculate Heart of Mary -- passed all seven quizes with perfect scores. The students were recognized for their efforts with an awards ceremony at their respective schools. |
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| 05.06 |
| Firefighters conduct annual hydrant testing |
| Maumelle
firefighters have spent the month of May testing the more than 600 fire hydrants
places throughout the city. The annual tests make sure each hydrant operates
properly, is marked with reflective stickers and isn't obstructed by landscaping
or vegetation. The testing, which should be complete by early June, involves opening each plug and measuring the pressure of the water flowing from it. Unfortunately, when the hydrants are opened, it disturbs sediment in the water lines and causes temporary discoloration of the water. Firefighters make every effort to flow the hydrants long enough to allow the water to clear up, however homeowners may see the discoloration in their taps. Representatives of Maumelle Water Management recommend that residents run water faucets for a minute or two to insure that the water is clear before doing laundry or any other project that might be affected by discolored water. Residents of the city can assist the department with hydrant maintenance by keeping the area around fire hydrants free of obstructions and landscaping. A 36-inch radius around the hydrant should be clear of vegetation or landscape improvements. Unfortunately, some residents try to hide fire hydrants from view. Such obstructions not only delay the efforts of firefighters during a fire, but are also in violation of the International Fire Code as adopted by the city in 2004. |
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| 04.23.06 |
 The newest piece of the Maumelle Fire Department's fleet finally arrived for good Sunday (April 23) and was placed into service Monday afternoon. The 2006 Smeal custom pumper on a Spartan chassis replaces a 1994 E-One Hush as the city's first-due fire engine. |
| New engine arrives for good, gets to work |
| Although
the Maumelle Fire Department's new 2006 Smeal custom pumper arrived in Arkansas
several weeks ago, it's now home for good after being equipped with necessary
radios, equipment and mounting brackets. Lee Church and his team from Ol' Red Fire Apparatus of Sherwood -- the dealer which sold the new pumper -- arrived at the station Sunday afternoon (April 23) to begin a three-day inservice program with members of the department. The new pumper went into service Monday (April 24) and answered its first call -- when A shift responded to a residential fire alarm on Canadian Cove -- that evening. The new Engine 1 pumped at its first fire Wednesday (April 26) when C shift responded to a bin of mops burning at the Cintas facility on Champs Blvd. The rig replaces a maintenance-plagued 1994 E-One Hush pumper that has served as Maumelle's first-out fire apparatus since January 1995. CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERACTIVE TOUR OF THE NEW PUMPER! |
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| 04.23.06 |
| Mobile Air Unit responds to fatal Oak Grove fire |
The
Maumelle Fire Department's Mobile Air Unit (MAU) was dispatched shortly after
6 a.m. Sunday morning (April 23) to provide support to the Oak Grove Volunteer
Fire Department as they battled a fatality structure fire in their
district. |
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| 04.05.06 |
 Maumelle firefighters rescued three occupants of this Central Arkansas Transit bus, which rolled into a ditch after being struck near the intersection of Murphy Drive and Champs Blvd. |
| MFD extricates three from CATA transit bus |
| Maumelle
firefighters were dispatched at approximately 7:30 a.m. Wednesday
(April 5) for a motor vehicle accident on Murphy Drive with people injured.
Upon arrival, they found a two-vehicle accident with a Central
Arkansas Transit bus on its side and in a ditch
at the corner of Murphy Drive and Champs Blvd. The two passengers and one driver on the bus were still inside with all three reporting injuries. Firefighters broke out the rear window of the bus and with hydraulic cutters and a rescue saw, cut away a large piece of bus so that the three passengers could be safely removed. All three were extricated from the bus within approximately 30 minutes. The lone occupant of the second vehicle was not injured. In addition to the three on-duty firefighters who responded to the scene with Truck 1 and Brush 1, a call for volunteers to respond to the scene yielded two additional firefighters. MEMS responded to the scene with two ambulances and a field supervisor. |
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| 03.25.06 |
 Maumelle firefighters were greeted with smoke and fire showing from the rear of the house at 59 Oakridge Drive after responding to a report of a flue fire. (Photo by Terri Hopkins) |
| Maumelle firefighters battle Oakridge house fire |
| Maumelle
firefighters found smoke and fire showing from the rear of the
single-level residence after arriving at 59 Oakridge Drive just before
3 p.m. Saturday (Mar. 25) afternoon. Once inside, their investigation revealed a fire originating in the chimney area and spreading into the attic space of the house. With a confirmed working fire, a second alarm brought North Little Rock's Engine 4 to the scene. Also, off-duty career personnel were recalled to work for additional manpower. The Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department was also dispatched to respond to the Maumelle station to provide coverage for the rest of the city. The fire spread the length of the home's attic, eventually breaking through the roof in the rear of the house. Using three 1.75" hose lines, firefighters were able to contain the blaze within approximately one hour. Firefighters remained on scene until 5:32 p.m. Fire damage was limited to the attic and roof, but the remainder of the home suffered significant water damage. In all, seven volunteer firefighters and five off-duty firefighters responded to the incident to support the four on-duty members of Engine Company 1. |
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| 03.24.06 |
 Volunteer Firefighter Joel Galloway (top, left) and Firefighter Shane Holmes (bottom left) were recognized by Fire Chief George Glenn as the department's Firefighters of the Year at the annual Rotary Club Police & Fire Banquet Friday (Mar. 24) at the Maumelle Country Club. |
| Firefighters honored at annual Rotary banquet |
| Maumelle
firefighters were recognized for their efforts in the previous year Friday
night (Mar. 24) at the annual Rotary Club Police & Fire Banquet. The fire department honored members for life_saving acts and dedicated service to the department. Additionally, Fire Chief George Glenn recognized Dispatcher Michael Riggan with a Civilian Service Award for his continued professionalism in emergency communications. The department's portion of events culminated with the presentation of the annual Firefighter of the Year Award for career and volunteer members of the organization. Volunteer Firefighter Joel Galloway was selected by his peers as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter Shane Holmes was chosen by the department chiefs as career Firefighter of the Year. |
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| 03.12.06 |
| Twenty-one runs in three days keeps Maumelle firefighters busy |
| Twenty-one
requests for service in a three day period kept Maumelle firefighters busy
Friday (Mar. 10) through Sunday -- including Friday afternoon, where the
fire department was dispatched to simultaneous fire runs. Shortly after Maumelle firefighters arrived and found smoke showing from the Kimberly Clark manufacturing facility at 500 Murphy Drive Friday afternoon, they were dispatched to a second report of fire at a residence at 9 Yazoo Cove. At the Kimberly Clark incident, a contractor using cutting tools on an exterior wall ignited dust and an insulation liner within the wall. Firefighters breached the wall to check for fire spread. Parts of the wall were pulled away and crews were sent to the roof to cut away metal flashing capping the exterior wall to apply water for extinguishment and to check for fire extension. Firefighters diverted from the Kimberly Clark incident who responded to Yazoo Cove found that fire contained to a stove top and already extinguished upon their arrival. Because of the simultaneous runs, off-duty personnel were recalled to duty. A total of six out of eight off-duty members responded to the city to assist at Kimberly Clark and provide coverage at the station. While handling the two fire calls, neighboring Oak Grove Fire Department requested mutual aid for a fire in their district. Because of a shortage of personnel, Maumelle was unable to fulfill that request. Before clearing the scene at Kimberly Clark firefighters were dispatched to third fire run -- an automatic fire alarm in a residence -- before being cancelled by the alarm company. In addition to Friday's two fires, Maumelle firefighters were dispatched to five medical emergencies, four traumatic injuries, three motor vehicle accidents, a pair of grass fires, a natural gas odor investigation, a service call and a pair of fire alarm activations in the three-day span. |
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| 03.09.06 |
 Captain Tim Bullard serves a cup of soup to a patron of the Maumelle Senior Services Center. Maumelle firefighters stopped by the center Thursday (Mar. 9) to offer their services as lunch servers. |
| Firefighters volunteer as servers for seniors |
| The
job of firefighter includes many duties -- fighting fires, treating sick
and injured persons and investigating hazardous materials incidents. Thursday
(Mar. 9), members of Engine 1-C temporarily added lunch server to that
list. Firefighter Scott Eaton and Probationary Firefighter Jeremy New joined Captain Tim Bullard in serving lunch to the patrons. Bullard volunteered his shift's services as a way to be involved with the senior center outside of the normal fire safety presentations offered there. "We would have offered to call a Bingo game," joked Bullard, "but we would have had some upset folks had we had to leave to respond to an emergency." Joining Bullard, Eaton & New at the center and providing moral support to their "lunch ladies" were Engineer Michael Cossey, Firefighter Shane Holmes & Volunteer Firefighter Shane Preator. |
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| 02.08.06 |
 The cab and chassis that will become Maumelle's new Engine 1 sits in a lot at the Smeal manufacturing plant in Snyder, Nebraska. The custom pumper is expected to be delivered to the dealer in Sherwood by mid-March and will be placed into service after final customizations are made. |
| MFD makes preparations for new engine, tools |
| A
process that began last January with the Maumelle City Council exploring
options to purchase a new fire engine should culminate next month with the
delivery of a new front-line pumper. The Smeal custom pumper is in the final stages of assembly at the Smeal Fire Apparatus manufacturing facility in Snyder, Nebraska. Once complete, it will be delivered to the local Smeal dealer -- Ol' Red Fire Apparatus -- in Sherwood for striping and final customizations before being placed into service in Maumelle. Work is also ongoing to provide a place to house the new pumper. The fire station at 100 Millwood Circle does not have enough room in the apparatus bay to house the new rig, the existing Engine 1, Truck 1, Brush 1 and the Mobile Air Unit under one roof. Current plans include adding an extension to the back of the apparatus bay to provide the extra space. In addition to the new apparatus, the department is in the midst of acquiring several new tools to help in both firefighting and rescue operations. Maumelle firefighters have already placed a set of hydraulic TNT rescue tools into service. The tools, which are commonly referred to as the Jaws of Life, allow firefighters to extricate persons trapped in automobile accidents. The tools were paid for by a grant awarded to the Pulaski County Dept. of Emergency Management. A second set of tools, purchased through a federal FIRE Act grant, will arrive later and be placed on the new pumper. Additionally, the department will acquire two thermal imaging cameras through grant monies. According to Fire Chief George Glenn, the department is currently collecting bids on the cameras and they should be ordered "soon." The cameras see varying temperatures of heat and display it on a small monitor. They allow firefighters to see victims is zero visibility smoke conditions as well as find hidden fire in walls, ceilings and other void spaces. |
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| 01.29.06 |
| Firefighters stop fire early in attic, save house |
| Sunday
afternoon (Jan. 29), a passerby reported to Maumelle
Police & Fire Communications smoke coming from vents of a
house in the Kingspark Addition. Upon arrival at 36 Kingspark Drive,
Maumelle Engine 1-C made entry and found smoke & fire in the attic
of the house. The fire was the third working structure fire for Maumelle firefighters in one week's time. Firefighters in the attic quickly extinguished the fire while personnel searched the lower portion of the home for occupants. The house was unoccupied by humans, but the family's pets were located and their safe recovery was insured. Crews -- consisting of five on-duty firefighters and seven volunteers -- remained on scene for an hour and a half overhauling the structure and removing burned material. |
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| 01.28.06 |
| Engine 1 returns to front line service |
| After
an absence of nearly two months, Maumelle's Engine 1 returned
to active service Saturday, January 28. The pumper, a 1994 E-One Hush, was plagued by a variety of mechanical issues in 2005. Those problems, combined with the loss of Maumelle's 1980 reserve pumper, forced the department to rent a 1974 model pumper from the Gravel Ridge Volunteer Fire Department as a back-up engine in October 2005. Engine 1 has been out of service since November 29. Engine 1 will be permanently moved to back-up status in March, when a new Smeal pumper is delivered to the department. It will be the city's first brand new pumper in 12 years. |
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| 01.26.06 |
| Plans for joint police-fire complex scrubbed |
| In
a meeting with representatives of the fire department Thursday (Jan. 26),
Mayor Burch Johnson confirmed rumors that the plan to build a new fire department
headquarters alongside a new police station on Murphy Drive had been
scrapped. According to the mayor, the bonds issued for police station construction tie the project to the current property at 100 Millwood Circle. Because the new station must be built there, the city will be unable to sell the parcel -- a move that would have netted an estimated $1.5 million. For the interim, the fire department will continue to operate from its single station with plans to build a second station on the north side of town as soon as funds become available. A second station, including minimal staffing, is estimated to cost more than $300,000 annually. |
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| 01.25.06 |
| Firefighters battle fire at Pine Forest high rise |
| A
resident in the upper floor condominiums of 600 Pine Forest Drive reported
smoke in the building shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Responding to their second building fire in as many shifts, Engine Company 1-A found smoke throughout the building but no visible fire. Firefighters immediately went door-to-door on the residential floors of the building to evacuate all residents before locating the fire in the offices of the Maumelle Medical Clinic on the first floor of the building. The four on-duty firefighters and eight volunteer firefighters sought assistance from Engine 4 and Rescue 5 of the North Little Rock Fire Department as well as Engine 1 of the Oak Grove Fire Department in battling the blaze. Local off-duty firefighters were also recalled to duty to assist. Crews remained on scene for more than two hours but the fire was contained to the clinic offices. Other parts of the building suffered smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. |
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| 01.03.06 |
 Firefighters made quick work of a fire in the garage of this home under construction at 1 Campbell Lane. Firefighters contained the fire to the areas of origin and prevented its spread into the residential portion of the home. |
| Firefighters quickly contain garage fire |
| Maumelle's
Engine Company 1-A responded to a report of a possible house fire at 6:38
a.m. on the morning of January 22. Upon arrival, they found fire in the garage
area of the house under construction at 1 Campbell Lane. Firefighters quickly contained the fire to the areas of origin and prevented its spread into the residential portion of the home. Shortly after clearing the scene at Campbell Lane, Engine Company 1-B responded to a large number of round hay bales on fire near the intersection of Oneida Way and Seneca Court. After breaking apart the bales with Truck 1's ladder pipe, the remaining hay was allowed to burn under supervision. |
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| 01.06.06 |
| Department awarded federal FIRE Act grant |
| The
Maumelle Fire Department received official notification Friday (Jan. 6) that
it has been awarded its third federal FIRE Act grant totaling $124,525. Approximately 95% of the grant amount will be funded by the federal government, with the city providing $6,226. Accrding to Fire Chief George Glenn, the monies will be used to purchase hydraulic rescue tools, a thermal imaging camera, portable radios, upgrades to some existing radio systems and a generator for the police & fire communications center. The department previously received grants in 2002 & 2005 for physical fitness equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus. |
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| 01.03.06 |
 Firefighters found this home at 124 Limoges Court fully involved with fire upon their arrival shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 3) morning. It took firefighters from Maumelle, Oak Grove & North Little nearly 30 minutes to control the blaze. |
| Once again, first fire comes quickly for MFD |
| The
Maumelle Fire Department only had to wait three days for the first fire of
the new year. In 2005, the department responded to a structure fire shortly
after 2004 became 2005. Firefighters found the house at 124 Limoges Court fully involved with fire spreading to neighboring homes when they arrived on scene shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning (Jan. 3). [CLICK HERE to hear dispatch] It took firefighters from Maumelle, North Little Rock & Oak Grove nearly 30 minutes to control the fire. Two 1.75" handlines were used to protect the neighboring homes and extinguish the resulting grass fires. With no hope of making entry into the burning house, Truck 1's ladder pipe was used to extinguish the bulk of that fire. Assistance was called even before the first apparatus arrived on scene as the fire and smoke were visible in many parts of the city. Local career personnel were recalled to duty and single engine companies responded from North Little Rock and Oak Grove. Crews remained on scene overhauling the scene and extinguishing hot spots for more than three hours. Investigators also began processessing the scene with the assistance of the Little Rock Fire Department. No one was home at the time of the fire. Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials have ruled it suspicious in nature.
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MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE. |
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