|
Central Oktibbeha VFD observes 20-year anniversary |
|
Sunday, 14 June 2009 |
 Brian Hawkins/SDN Founding and current members of the Central Oktibbeha Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the Longview fire station Saturday afternoon to enjoy some cake and ice cream in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the department’s service to the community. Initially organized in 1988, the COVFD began active service to the community in April 1989, one month after the completion of its fire station adjacent to the Longview Community Center on Highway 12 West. By BRIAN HAWKINS
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Cake and ice cream aplenty could be found at the Central Oktibbeha Volunteer Fire Department’s station in the Longview community Saturday as firefighters and supporters gathered to celebrate the department’s 20th anniversary.
The COVFD was established by 61 charter members of the greater Longview community with the help of multiple local businesses in 1988 after residents recognized “a need to improve fire protection services to the area,” according to the department’s charter.
Efforts by volunteers and firefighters alike led to the construction of a fire station adjacent to the Longview Community Center on Highway 12 in March 1989. One month later, the department began serving local residents.
Today, the COVFD remains one of the most active volunteer fire departments in Oktibbeha County, with many of the original charter members remaining active as firefighters and supporters.
“There are still quite a few of us who are still active,” said founding member and firefighter Duane Tucker. “Several couldn’t be here today because of family and other commitments, but we celebrate them.”
County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan commended the COVFD for its milestone anniversary and its work to help protect the community.
“Central was one of the first departments I became involved with after becoming fire services coordinator 19 years ago,” said Rosenhan by phone from Missouri on Saturday.
“We’re very proud of the Central’s 20 years of service to the community and how they have reduced insurance rates for portions of the response area. We are working to further upgrade the protection for everyone in that area.”
The COVFD’s strength is its volunteer base, Rosenhan said.
“The efforts of all the volunteers in their training and service is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing the department serve the community for another 20 years,” Rosenhan said.
Founding member Bennet George is the current chief of the COVFD and has held that position for several years. His wife, Sandi, is also active in the department.
Charter members of the COVFD are as follows (all names are printed exactly as they appear in the framed charter hanging in the fire station):
• Timothy Armstrong.
• G.W. Batchelder.
• Lamar Boyd.
• Geoff Brink.
• Tommy Buchanan.
• D.C. Carmichael.
• Shannan Carter.
• Mark Carwile.
• A.C. Clay.
• Phillip Collins.
• Lawrence Croft.
• W.W. Croft Sr.
• Robert G. Cunningham.
• Ed Duett.
• Frankie Edmonds.
• Jerry H. Edmonds.
• Bennet George.
• Grady Graham.
• John H. Grisham.
• Frederick G. Gural.
• Alex Harris.
• Rod Hastings.
• Ricky Hutchinson.
• Charles R. Johnston.
• Rupert B. Johnston.
• Troy and Ruth Kight.
• Jeffrey V. Krans.
• Eva McReynolds.
• John D. Meador.
• Glen Mullins.
• Sonny Mullins.
• Mrs. Lottie B. Myers.
• Charles and Marie Parish.
• Wayne and Marjorie Parker.
• J.F. Pennell.
• Joe Pennell.
• Tim and Robin Rice.
• Roy H. Roberson.
• Mitchell Roberts.
• Bobby Scholtes.
• Robbin Shull.
• Carlos Sistrunk.
• Wesley Smith.
• Erma Thompson.
• Henry A. Thompson.
• Lowell Thompson.
• Mrs. Vergil Thompson.
• Duane Tucker.
• Dennis Ray.
• J. William Rush.
• T.J. Upchurch.
• Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Wallace.
• James D. Wallace.
• Odie Fred Wallace.
• G.H. Weaver.
• Dave Whitfield.
• Paul Yeatman.
The following businesses are listed on the COVFD charter as being instrumental in the establishment of the department.
• First Federal Savings and Loan, Buddy Staggers.
• Bank of Mississippi, Gary Jackson.
• S & C Farms.
• Southern Resource Services, E. Lynn Prine.
• State Farm Insurance, Jack Forbus.
The COVFD is one of seven volunteer fire departments operating in Oktibbeha County.
The county’s other departments are Adaton-Self Creek, Maben, Sturgis/District 4, Bell Schoolhouse, East Oktibbeha and Oktoc/District 5.
Some departments do operate substations at varying locations around the county.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 15 June 2009 )
|
