Fire Department
MISSION:
The mission of the Forrest City Fire Department is to protect lives and property from the adverse effects of fire, medical emergencies and exposure to dangerous conditions created either by nature or man. We will respond to emergencies in a professional and courteous manner and strive to reduce the rate of emergencies through public education and code enforcement. Ethical values will remain the core of every decision made by each member of our Department.
The Forrest City Fire Department is a combination department made up of 21 full-time and 7 part-paid firefighters. The firefighters work a three-platoon system, meaning they work 24 hours and are off-duty for 48 hours. The Department is established with the following positions:
Fire Chief Johnny Ruffin
Johnny Ruffin has been with the Department since 1983. Under Chief Ruffin's leadership, the Department has lowered its ISO rating and added a new Custom Cab pumper.Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Anthony Renigar
Anthony Renigar has been with the Department since 1986. Anthony serves as Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal and is responsible for enforcement of State Fire Codes,local fire-related ordinances and determining the origin and cause of fires.Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Fletcher
Kenny Fletcher has been with the Department since 2007, although he has been in the fire service for 23 years. Kenny is responsible for enforcement of all State and local building codes and ordinances.Training Officer Greg Gray
Greg Gray has been with the Department since 1989. Greg is responsible for maintaining the training program for the Department. Greg holds the rank of Captain.Fire Prevention Officer Shane Dallas
Shane Dallas has been with the Department since 2006. Shane is responsible for maintaining the public education and fire safety program for the citizens of Forrest City. Shane holds the rank of Firefighter.3 Captains, one per platoon/shift
The Shift Captain is responsible for daily operations of their respective company, including direct supervison of their Lieutenant and firefighters.3 Lieutenants, one per platoon/shift
The Shift Lieutenant is responsible for assisting the Captain in daily operations and shift training.12 Firefighters, four per platoon/shift
The Firefighter is responsible for fire suppression, extrication, fire prevention and maintaining Departmental apparatus and equipment.Part-Paid Firefighters
The Part-Paid Firefighter is responsible for all activities of a paid firefighter, when activated.And the Department has 4 licensed plumbing inspectors and 3 licensed asbestos inspectors.
The Forrest City Fire Department is housed in 1 station located in the center of the city of Forrest City and with the following apparatus: 3 Class “A” Pumpers, 1 85ft Aerial Platform/Quint with 1500 gpm pump, 2 Light Rescue with extrication equipment, 1 Class "A" Pumper/Tanker with 2000 gallon tank and 750 gpm pump, 1 Hazardous Materials Technician unit, 1 Mobile Cascade Air unit system, 1 Water Rescue Boat and 1 All-Terrain vehicle. The Department is very active and provides services for fire suppression, heavy and light vehicle extrication, first responder medical, arson investigations, a hazardous materials technician team for our region of Arkansas, wild land fire suppression, fire prevention, education and safety to the public. All FCFD firefighters are hazardous materials-technician level, medical first responders and some are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. All personnel are members of the Arkansas State Firefighter’s Association and the Chief Officers are members of the Arkansas Association of Fire Chiefs.
The Forrest City Fire Department has an Public Protection Classification/ISO class 4 rating. The Department has averaged 1200 incidents per year recently. Forrest City Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with all 8 volunteer fire departments and several other emergency agencies in St. Francis County, which is 685 square miles. The Forrest City Fire Department’s first response area has approximately 22,000 residents and around 7,000 structures including the Federal Correctional Institution-Forrest City, 48 miles of Interstate 40, which has been recognized as the busiest section of interstate in the United States, several manufacturing and warehousing complexes, and numerous hazardous materials storage facilities. It has been documented that approximately 40,000 vehicles pass through Forrest City on I-40 each day. And our fire district protects active railroads running east and west and north and south through our district and multiple large diameter natural gas and propane transmission pipelines that are buried through our district. Also in our rural response area is Crowley’s Ridge, a naturally formed section of hills and valleys that run through the Delta area, several pine tree plantations, peach tree orchards, acres of farm and crop land and wide-spread forestry and vegetation acres that have residential, farm shop and other structures constructed throughout and most without any useable type of fire protection water system.
Picture Courtesy of Suzette Osburn
300 Garland
Fire Emergency Only - 870-633-1533
Non-Emergency Calls - 870-633-2414
Email: fcfirechief@forrestcity-ar.com