Bloomfield Fire Department sees major improvements

Corey Noles photo - The Bloomfield Fire Department has recently purchased new extrication equipment to be used when people are trapped in automobiles or homes. On the left is a cutter used to slice through steel so you can get the spreader (right) in to open it up.

Some big changes have been under way over the past two years at the Bloomfield Fire Department.

What was not long ago a small rural volunteer fire department is turning in to quite the impressive small town department.

In the past year, approximately $100,000 has been spent on new equipment and training.

Earlier this year they began purchasing extrication equipment that's used to remove people from mangled automobiles or to help get into collapsed buildings.

Bloomfield Fire Chief John Standridge said they have already been putting the equipment to use.

Among the extrication equipment is a hydraulic cutter, a hydraulic spreader, an assortment of air bags for lifting vehicles and other heavy objects and numerous other items.

These extrication tools, are commonly referred to as the "jaws of life". Typically the term refers to several types of piston-rod hydraulic tools used to pry open vehicles involved in accidents if a victim is trapped.

This equipment isn't all they've bought, however. They also purchased new lighting for their trucks.

This year they are hoping to receive a grant from the Department of Homeland Security new breathing apparatus that will cost nearly $100,000.

"With this grant," explained Chief Standridge, "We'll pay $5,000 and they'll pay $95,000."

He said that Dexter, Puxico and Bell City have all benefited from Homeland Security money and he feels like Bloomfield has a good chance at getting the grant.

Among other projects they have going is the construction of a new facility. There are currently plans in the works to build a new fire station behind the Stoddard County Health Department located on Highway. 25 at the north end of Bloomfield.

The size and cost of the facility is still unknown at this time, but they are still in the beginning stages.

"Right now we're talking to architects trying to get this thing moving," Standridge said.

After a December audit, Department officials have been told that their ISO (Insurance Services Office) fire rating could be making a significant drop. ISO ratings are determined by the ability of a community's fire suppression system and those numbers are figured in to things like homeowners insurance.

Towns receive a numerical grade based on several categories.

According to http://www.iso.com , 10 percent of the overall grading is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources.

ISO also judges response times, water supply, quality of equipment and the training received by firefighters to determine the effectiveness of the department.

Currently Bloomfield has an ISO rating of 8, but city officials been told to expect a significant decrease in the near future.

Corey Noles can be contacted via e-mail at cnoles@dailystatesman.com.