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Valle-Wood VFD reaches out<br>to local community members

VALLE — Since the Valle-Wood Volunteer Fire Department's formation about six years ago, the organization has been plagued with an identity problem.

Mainly, just getting the word out that the department exists has been a challenge.

Larry Doering of the Valle-Wood Volunteer Fire Department shows off one of the new trucks they acquired last year. The department held an open house with free burgers and hot dogs Thursday before its meeting.

"We want the community to know that this fire department is here," said Roger Miller, president of the Valle-Wood Volunteer Fire Department's board of directors.

In an effort to get the community more involved with the department, the volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians staged an open house Thursday night.

The fire trucks were on display at the airport, there was live music and they even tried to give away free food and beverages. Still, the turnout was disappointing.

Nevertheless, those in attendance were upbeat about the fire department's progress, especially in the past year. Two trucks were obtained by the department in the last year to replace severely outdated vehicles.

Miller said the department has four goals:

o Need more recruits.

o Need more board members.

o Need more community members involved.

o Need to continue to upgrade training, equipment and supplies.

Miller thanked several individuals for their contributions to the department, including the firefighters who "put in hundreds of hours each year in classes and showing up to the scene."

"They often put themselves at great personal risk, so we appreciate their time," Miller said.

Mike Bovee, fire chief, said the department has come a long way in the past two years. The department currently has two EMTs and will be adding a third, as well as three certified firefighters.

"We're doing the best we can with the resources we have," Bovee said. "We now have radio contact. We can contact other agencies from Tusayan to Williams and we have radios in all our trucks. Right now, we're in the process of getting a new pager system."

The department has been using cellular telephones for emergency contact, but Bovee said they are too unreliable.

Bovee said the department expects to be set up soon on the 911 system out of Williams. Valle officials were to meet with Williams Police Department dispatch on that subject.

Three community members were added to the fire department's board. David Bixby, Pat Doering and Karma Carter were all approved for membership.

A 17-year-old boy tried to become a member but had to be turned away because he was a minor. The board made him an "honorary" member until he turns 18 later this year.

The board then held an election and president Miller, vice president Dick Olson and treasurer Robert Carson all continued in those positions. Doering was elected as the board's secretary and Bovee was kept as fire chief.

The open house included free barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs by the Air Museum Planes of Fame's Bob Reed. Bixby, a popular local entertainer, provided music.


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