Pea Ridge Fire Department Making Progress

Six months after the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department stopped taking calls, the Department making progress in staffing and gear.

The Fire Department has been throwing events for the community to receive donations to help fund the department. Fire Chief Chase Emerton said the department has received some equipment.

“We got plenty of suits now for people and got more,” Emerton said. “We got, getting everything fixed back, got the trucks up and running and trying to get everybody a radio and get all that ready to go, and we’ve got everything going well.”

Emerton said the department has not had many issues and credits the performance of the department. Emerton said he has learned a lot since taking over as Fire Chief.

“You know its so much I take in, and try to farm and do everything all at the same time, and I just try to help everybody out,” Emerton said.

The building for the fire department recently was leaking in multiple places but has been fixed, Emerton said. Emerton said the department needs a truck to convert into a brush truck.

“We’ve got one out there but it don’t run,” Emerton said. “And its gonna cost a whole lot to fix it and I think its better to buy another truck than it is to try to put all the money into that truck and not have something that will run.”

Emerton said the department is unable to get funding grants from the state because the state has not recognized them since 2017.

The fire department was able to fill leadership positions back in March. The department trained with the EMA department to better prepare the staff. Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department