Humboldt Fire A-OK

HUMBOLDT — As part of an ongoing effort to share knowledge of city services with the public and city council, Humboldt Volunteer Fire Dept. opened its fire barn for a tour Monday evening.
Chief Kent Barfoot explained the department and its duties, described equipment and spoke of space needs for training and housing volunteers.
The equipment the department has is all in good repair, Barfoot said. Recent certification of a pumper will allow it to be sold in coming years for a higher value, he added.
Barfoot, who has been with the department 23 years, said their primary need is fo rmore space for trianign. The current fire barn houses the trucks and a space used for both meetings and training sessions, he said.
The fire department has 21 volunteers. They can have up to 22.
“These guys are very agressive — they will attack a fire and enter a building while its still burning and carry people out,” said Sam Murrow, a paramedic who used to serve with the department.
Anyone city resident who is at least 21 can join, but the upper limit is 55, Barfoot said. Despite requiring city residency, the department serves 128 miles — about a quarter — of Allen County, Barfoot said.
The department has different trucks assigned to different districts within their coverage area, Barfoot explained. A brush truck goes to rural calls, while a city-owned full-service truck remains within city limits. A corresponding full-service truck will respond to any fires or emergencies outside of the city limits. The determination is made based on ownership of the vehicles, he said.
The department itslef reaised money to purchase equipment such as jaws of life and thermal imaging, so those tools may be used anywhere the firefighters go.
Over the years, Barfoot siad, the type of service calls has changed. They respond to many more accidents rather than structure fires now, he said.
The city purchased land a couple years back for the department ot build on, barfoot said. Although no plans are in the works at this time, he siad having the land will make it easier to secure grant funding once the city is ready to build.
“We’ve got a really good group of volunteeers,” Barfoot said. “They are what make this go.”