Many folks want to know what their donations go towards. Its real simple, your money goes towards the operations of the fire department. In order for the fire department to respond to emergency calls, it must have operational money. This money pays for the fuel and equipment that the fire department needs to respond to emergency calls. These emergency calls may be Fires, Rescues, and Hazardous Material responses.

The department also provides backup Emergency Medical personal to the EMS, and handles Investigative calls. The department responds to investigate Possible Fire Investigations, Smoke or Odor of Smoke Investigations, and Gas Odor Investigations.  The department also responds to Fire and Smoke Alarm calls and with the number of new commercial buildings increasing that have Fire Alarm Systems these calls are increasing in number.

I can continue naming the many types of emergencies the department handles, but simply put the department provides to the public assistance when an emergency arises that may require response from the fire department.

There have been many questions asked about the department and its operations and responses. Here are some of questions and answers.

Q. Why does the fire department respond to motor vehicle accidents with the EMS?

A. We live in a rural area and cover hundreds of miles of highway. Many things can happen in a vehicle collision. Due to the impact motor fluids leak out and cover the roadway making it unsafe for other drivers. The gasoline tank may rupture dumping gasoline onto and emergency scene and due to this hazard, a vehicle involved in a collision may catch fire endangering the lives of those involved in the accident and the emergency responders that respond to the calls. However the most important reason is that there may be an entrapment involved and the delay of rescue could mean the difference between living and dying. There are times that there may be multiple victims and the fire department goes into overdrive and not only must carry out their normal duties at the scene, but must also assist EMS with the care of victims. The fire department responds not just for rescue, but also for the safety of the public and the emergency medical responders involved in treating the victims.

Q. Why can’t the EMS perform Rescue?

A. The Emergency Medical Responder on scene is there to provide medical care to the victims. If they did other duties then that would delay the victims from receiving the medical care they need.

Q. Why does the fire department not do Building Inspections?

A. The fire department does not have a Certified Fire Inspector. For a person to receive certification as a Fire Inspector he/she must receive over 160 hours of training. This means that he/she would have to attend four weeks of training. It is hard for volunteers to take off from work for four weeks to receive this training. If a non-certified person were to inspect a building and something happens such as a fire then department could face being held liable. Also the Volunteer Fire Department Fire Inspector must be granted authority to enforce codes to have any enforcement powers. The State Fire Marshals Office has certified Inspectors that upon receiving a request will come out and inspect Schools, Day Cares, and Hospitals. You can find a link to the State Fire Marshals Office under the "Inspection" button on the left.

Q. The fire department would at one time fill swimming pools for donations, why do they not still continue to do this?

A. One reason is the liability. If for some reason the pool is damaged while being filled, then the person who owns the pool wants it fixed and expects the fire department to fix it. The manufactures and installers of swimming pools suggest that a swimming pool be filled slowly to reduce the risk of damage. The second reason is that the water used to fill the swimming pool comes from Trinity Bay and must be paid for, therefore an agreement must be worked out between the owner of the pool and Trinity Bay.

Q. What do you mean liable?

A. Several years ago Volunteer Fire Departments and their members were exempt from lawsuits for damages under the Good Samaritan Law, but this is no longer the case. Volunteer Fire Departments and their members now face the same liabilities as paid fire departments. The fire department must pay for liability insurance to protect them. If they did not, and ended up being sued, would mean they may have to shut down.

If you have a question you wish answered, please contact the Winnie-Stowell Volunteer Fire Department using the “Contact Us” button on the left side of this page and we will try to answer it as best we can.