Thank you Chief Westhoff for asking me to share my reflection of my years serving with the West Plains Fire Department. 

It’s interesting that I am at this point of my life, reflecting, but mother time allows this. I was born and raised in West Plains in a family of seven. My Dad, Joe, was community minded. He served the U.S. Army, served on the Fairview R-11 school board for many years, a Deacon at our local church, Ordained Minister, and volunteered as a firefighter for over 35 years with the West Plains Fire Department. Dad presently serves as president with Howell County Rural Fire Department. My Dad lead by example and passed that on to each of my other siblings, we all serve in one capacity or another.

I reflect back on my career with West Plains which begin in June, 1984, as a police officer and I joined the West Plains Fire Department at the same time. It was awesome because I got to serve alongside my Dad for a period of time. I grew up attending fire drills, and responding to fire calls occasionally, and picking up the fire phone that rang into the house for many years and listen to the dispatcher give out the emergency. My how things have changed!

Happy New Year to each and every FFAM member. We made it through another year, and I look forward to what we have coming at us in 2017. A new President, a new Governor, new Chiefs, new Board Members, so we as members need to take this time and build new friendships, network, and promote what our great organizations does throughout this great state. Continue Reading →

Happy Spring everyone! I want to congratulate the area Lake Area Emergency Services Association for another successful convention, and may I add back to back, great job!

My heart is heavy while I write this article, and here is why.

His name is Joey Dale Hight born December 23, 1954, and passed this life on April 17, 2016. His badge #499, for the West Plains Fire Department, and #599 for the Police Department. He also was called Pastor, Preach, Preacher Man, Reverend, Rev, and he would gladly answer to any of them. I’m talking about our Chaplain, a lot of you will remember him as the Master of Ceremony for our 2001 FFAM convention. He is the one and only guy that has ever pulled off taking up an offering during an FFAM banquet, using a fire helmet.

The member of the fire and police departments will miss him greatly. He rode with officers, counseled, and was always available day or night for us. He is and will be missed by us all.

He is survived by his wife Tricia. Please keep her in your prayers.

I miss my best friend!

It is coming, spring is coming! That is for me more than you! I hate cold weather!

Would you do me a favor? Pencil in March 23, on your calendar, you ask why?

It is the 2nd annual Missouri Fire Sprinkler Coalition Summit one-day conference, hosted by the Springfield Fire and Police training center. Continue Reading →

I hope to find everyone enjoying the opening of fall. I have enjoyed watching the changing of the trees during my travels. I just returned from the MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute’s Instructor Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks. I must say it was one of the best conferences I have attended. Good job Dave, Kevin, and staff, I appreciate you maintaining a professional and user friendly training institute. Thanks for blazing a trail for us all, for the past forty-eight years!

A huge congratulations to Mark Arnold from Thayer Fire Department for winning the 2014-2015 Instructor of the Year award. I am happy to have worked with Mark over the years and this is well deserved.

We at West Plains Fire Rescue under the hard labor of Firefighter Paul Bradshaw Jr. found a company that will take your old obsolete turnout gear and recycle it into, backpacks, purses, carrying bags, and numerous other items. I personally have a backpack made from of our gear, which is awesome. It’s a great way to get rid of your old turnout gear, and help recycle. Here is the company we used, www.firefightersturnoutbags.com, visit the site, I think you will enjoy it.

Everyone stay safe and enjoy your families and friends throughout this Thanksgiving season.

J. Tim Bean

First Vice President (In God we Trust)

Late summer greetings, man it pains me to say that because I know what is around the corner. It seems like I just put my winter coats up. Just for the ones that do not know, I hate cold weather!

It has been a very busy summer around West Plains, opening a new station, hiring more full time firefighters, and the best news ever, being awarded the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for a new 77-foot aerial truck. Ferrara Fire Apparatus out of Louisiana was awarded the bid. I have to say “Thanks” to my Assistant Chief Roy Sims for his hard work on writing the grant, to Lanton Fire Chief Blake Bowers, and to the City of West Plains for their support of the Fire Department. Continue Reading →

I’m stunned 2015 is half over, the longest day of the year just happen, my grass is growing like someone sneaked in and fertilized it. But I’m happy its warm!

I along with five other members of the Region G All-Hazard Response Team, during the week of June 16-19 attended training at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The class we attended was, Crude By Rail Emergency Response and was sponsored by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. We thoroughly enjoyed the classroom portion and the practical skills training provided. Some of the topics covered were, design of pressure and non-pressure tanks, properties and the burning nature of crude oil, and many other topics associated with the railroad and hazardous materials issues. I would encourage anyone interested in free training and an all expenses paid trip to contact your local Burlington Northern representative for more information. Continue Reading →

Ribbon Cutting and Dedication to Open Station #3 in West Plains

Happy Spring everyone, hope this finds you enjoying the sights and sounds of what this time of year brings to you.

It has been a busy time since the last newsletter. Several departments were represented at Firefighter Day at the Capitol. If you have never attended this event, put it on your calendar for next year. Your legislative representatives look forward to visiting with you and we have found that it does help!

The Fire Alliance provided the food and drinks for the cookout for the state legislators. We figured there were over two hundred that ate with the fire services representatives. Thanks to my department for cooking the hot dogs and burgers. Continue Reading →