The Clinton Fire Department promoted three personnel recently. The three firemen were formally recognized at the April 19 city council meeting, but got their new insignia and pins at the Fire Station.
Following the resignation of Lt. Ryan Mendenhall, the Clinton Fire Department is getting shorter on staff. They have recently extended their advertisement for employees for the fire station and hope to get new recruits: they are hard to come by, however. “I think most fire stations are in the same situation we are in,” said Lieutenant Millam. He said he had recently visited a fire station in south Missouri and noticed they, too, have a hard time filling the ranks.
Aside from promotions, the Clinton Fire Department continues to plan and make improvements (spending the fire-tax money appropriately). There are still fire vehicles to be purchased, a roof to put on the fire station (the current roof was put on in the 1980s), and Chief Mark Manuel is working on lowering the ISO (fire rating) for the town. To do that, the Clinton Fire Department will most like need to build a training facility/tower, construct a satellite fire station for the community, and also find more fire personnel to make it all work. It is all in the planning phases currently, and Chief Manuel has spoken at several council meetings outlining his ideas. Of course, a lower rating for the community will result in lower insurance in general – and just make the Clinton community safer.
In the meantime, congratulations to Jeremey Millam (promoted to Lieutenant), Chris Reno (promoted to Captain), and Nathan Leochner (promoted to Driver) on their recent advancements!
