News - Local

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Fire station ready to open

HARRISON COUNTY — Residents of northeast Harrison County are getting their first-ever fire station.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Bethel Road Fire Station are set for Saturday morning. The new station, built and equipped at a cost of about $290,000, is on Bethel Road and next to Ramsey Creek Baptist Church in Saucier.

“It’s a great day especially for citizens of northeast Harrison County,” said Windy Swetman, District 1 county supervisor.

“This will provide better fire protection and, in these tough economic times, will help lower their fire insurance ratings and save homeowners money on their insurance.”

The new station is the county’s 13th fire station. It was built with county funds and a grant from a federal rural fire assistance program.

The public is invited to Saturday’s festivities, which start at 11 a.m. and include lunch and displays of the new fire truck and other equipment.

Fire Marshal George Mixon, coordinator of Harrison County Fire Services, said it’s a welcome addition.

Six of the county’s 12 fire stations each have a full-time career firefighter on duty from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, with volunteers called in as needed. Three stations each have two part-time firefighters who alternate shifts.

“We have about 130 volunteers countywide who are trained to state requirements,” Mixon said, “but we can always use more.

“We never know how many volunteers will be available when we need them. They have jobs. They go to church. They go to ball games and the grocery store. We often have to call for help from other areas if one fire station can’t reach enough volunteers.”