CARROLLTON – More than 20 volunteers showed up at an impromptu meeting at the Carrollton North Carroll Fire Department New Year’s Day, and an interim fire chief has been named.
Originally, North Carrollton Alderman Eddie Carpenter, Carrollton Alderman Warren Long, and Newly-appointed Carroll County Fire Coordinator Art Hicks planned to meet at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day to ensure the equipment and building were ready for cold weather and were in working order in the event of an emergency.
However, when New Year’s Day dawned, around 20 volunteer firefighters from around Carroll County, and one from Montgomery County, showed up to volunteer and make plans to meet the fire safety needs for Carrollton and North Carrollton.
Longtime volunteer and North Carrollton alderman Tom Hearn was the only fire fighter on the department roster not to resign this past month, and according to North Carrollton Alderman Ken Strachan, 16 experienced volunteer fire fighters signed up to serve alongside him at the department.
“There were people from all over the county,” Strachan said. “They were here from Mt. Pisgah, Vaiden, Gravel Hill, Black Hawk, Montgomery County, and [Carroll County]. Tim Casiday was named interim chief [at the Carrollton North Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department.].”
Casiday also serves as chief at Hickory Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Beat 1.
Strachan said these firemen will help fill the need of fire services until a new crew can be training.
Recruitment for new volunteers is ongoing. For those willing to volunteer, Hicks said firefighter certification is not required and that proper training and equipment will be provided to those willing to serve. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older to serve.
For more information, contact Carrollton Town Hall at 662-237-4600 or North Carrollton Town Hall at 662-237-9268.
