Dan McKenna

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Log Truck & Pickup Collide on I-59 in Jones County | Two injured, transported to hospital

A collision between an eighteen wheeler log truck and Toyota pickup truck has sent the adult male driver and adult male occupant of the pickup truck to the hospital.

The accident occurred on Interstate 59 North near the 100 mile marker on Wednesday afternoon.

Sandersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, two ambulances from EMServ Ambulance Service along with units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Gilliland responded to the scene.

The victims were transported by EMServ to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel for treatment of undisclosed injuries which were not thought to be life threatening.

Filed under: Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, laurel, South Central Regional Medical Center

Pine Belt Fire Coordinators Issue Outdoor Burning Warning Dry, windy conditions fueling grass, brush and woods fires

Fire Coordinators from Covington, Forrest, Jeff Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties are warning local residents in each county about the dangers of outdoor burning.  Over the past week,

volunteer fire departments in these seven Pine Belt counties have responded to dozens of out of control grass, brush and woods fires with several of the fires threatening structures.  “Our volunteer

fire departments have been very busy responding to grass, brush and woods fires with some fairly large acreage fires reported in the Pine Belt,” notes Lamar County Fire Coordinator George Stevens.

Adds Wayne County Fire Coordinator Doug Hutto, “The past several weeks have been extremely cold with numerous heavy frosts which has dried out the already dead vegetation.  Combine the dry

vegetation with moderate to strong winds and you have perfect conditions for rapid fire spread.”

Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown notes, “We are urging the public to be very careful if conducting any outdoor burning activities and refrain from outdoor burning if possible until

we have had some rainfall in the area.  When a volunteer fire department is out on a preventable wildland fire, they are unavailable to respond to potentially more serious calls such as vehicle

accidents and structure fires.”  Should a controlled fire get out of control, residents are urged to call 911 to report the fire and take steps to protect life and property.  Keep a water hose or

appropriate fire suppression equipment handy and be sure not to conduct outdoor burning activities when windy conditions are present.  “We’ve been very fortunate that no one has been injured

in some of these fast moving fires,” notes Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna.  He adds, “It just takes a moment for a small fire to get out of control and become a monster fire.  We just

want local residents to pay close attention to this fire warning and take steps to prevent damage to their homes and property and that of their neighbors – it’s a serious situation right now.”

Filed under: Covington County, Forrest County, Jones County, Lamar County, Marion County, burn, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Doug Hutto, fire, George Stevens, Wildfire

WOMAN ESCAPES BURNING HOME | Smoke Detector Credited Saving Life

A Jones County woman is alive this morning after a smoke detector alerted her to a fire in her doublewide mobile home allowing her to escape without injury. Ms. Lou Ulmer who lives on Mares Nest Lane off of Shady Oak Road in the Soso Community was awakened by the smoke detector to find heavy smoke and fire in one end of her home and raced outside before being overcome by smoke. Volunteer fire units from Soso, Calhoun, Pleasant Ridge and Hebron along with Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna were dispatched to the call at 12:49 a.m. and responded with multiple fire apparatus. Initial 911 reports indicated that the resident was trapped in the burning home; however, Jones County Sheriff’s Department deputies J.D. Carter and Chris Livingston, who were on patrol in the area, arrived and discovered Ms. Ulmer had escaped.

Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack but were unable to save the home which was heavily involved in fire with a brisk north wind pushing the flames throughout the home. Soso Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Glen Musgrove served as Incident Commander during the fire department response to the fire. The American Red Cross was also dispatched to the scene to assist Ms. Ulmer with emergency needs as she literally escaped with just the clothes on her back. Ms. Ulmer was being comforted by family and friends at the scene as was expected to spend the night with relatives before returning later in the morning to try to salvage personal belongings. Volunteer fire units were on the scene until nearly 4:00 a.m. conducting fire suppression, overhaul and salvage operations.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, American Red Cross, Chris Livingston, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Glen Musgrove, J.D. Carter, Jones County, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Lou Ulmer

JONES COUNTY FIRE COUNCIL SUPPORTS INSTALL. INSPECT. PROTECT. CAMPAIGN

[Laurel, MS] – More than 3,500 people die in home fires each year in the United States; most of whom are in homes without a working smoke alarm. To prevent these deaths, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sponsoring a nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign designed to raise awareness about how working, properly installed smoke alarms can lower a person’s chances of dying in a fire. The Jones County Fire Council, comprised of 18 Jones County volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department, is supporting this critical effort to reduce injuries and the loss of life.

The USFA’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign is aimed at encouraging Americans to practice fire safety by installing and maintaining smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, which can help save the lives of residents and fire fighters, practicing fire escape plans, and performing a home safety walk-through to remove fire hazards from the home. The campaign is promoting fire safety through a free Campaign Toolkit disc; educational materials; print, radio and television PSAs; children’s materials, community organization-sponsored events and a consumer-friendly campaign Web site.

“The Jones County Fire Council is proud to be a partner with the USFA in this very relevant campaign. Far too many people have died in fires as a result of not having working smoke alarms or sprinklers. One person killed in a home fire is just too many,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “Together, we can educate our communities and help save lives.”

“If a fire breaks out in your home while you’re asleep, how will you know? Having a working smoke alarm is like having a fire safety official on duty in your home, 24 hours a day.” said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. “Working smoke alarms will alert you to the fire and we know conclusively, a residential sprinkler system can help put the fire out.” Gaines adds, “Smoke alarms and sprinklers are able to provide residents the time it takes to get everyone out of the house, before firefighters have to come in.”

When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82 percent, when compared to a residence without either. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003-2006, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:

· Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

· Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.

· Get smoke alarms that can sound fast. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

· Inspect and test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a

reminder.
· If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.

· Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.

Sharon Volunteer Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Mike Hodge notes, “Our volunteer firefighters work tirelessly to respond to fires, vehicle crashes and medical first responder calls without one cent of compensation. They risk their lives and their families futures to help others and do so willingly. They do hope that residents will install smoke alarms which will alert everyone in the home in the event of a fire and give them enough time to get out of a burning home. Searching a burning home for a trapped resident is a dangerous endeavor for firefighters and places even more people at risk of being injured or killed.”

Organizations in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign include the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Burn Institute, Everyone Goes Home, Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Home Safety Council, International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and SAFE KIDS Worldwide.

For more information on the Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign and other fire prevention information, please visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms. To learn more about the Jones County Fire Council or to locate a volunteer fire department in your area that you might be interested in joining, please feel free to contact Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna at 601-428-3187.

Install. Inspect. Protect.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Ellisville Fire Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fire prevention, Fire safety, Jones County, Jones County Fire Council, Mike Hodge

PLUM CREEK FOUNDATION AWARDS FUNDS TO JONES COUNTY VFDS

The Plum Creek Foundation presented the Jones County Fire Council with a check for $6,500 today in a ceremony at the Ovett Volunteer Fire & Rescue station.  The $6,500 foundation award will be used to purchase forestry firefighting hose to be divided equally among Jones County’s eighteen volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department who compose the Jones County Fire Council.

Jones County Fire Council President Gordon Pitts accepts $6,500 donation from Plum Creek Foundation from James Castleberry, Resource Supervisor, Plum Creek. Pictured left to right: Gordon Pitts, President, Jones County Fire Council; James Castleberry, Resource Supervisor, Plum Creek; Dan McKenna, Jones County Fire Coordinator; Carl Burks, Senior Resource Forester, Plum Creek; Angela Holland, Senior Resource Forester, Plum Creek.

James Castleberry, Resource Supervisor for Plum Creek, noted, “We are pleased to be able to make this foundation award to these very deserving volunteer fire departments and Ellisville Fire Department who work so hard to protect us during fire and rescue situations.”

Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna and  Jones County Fire Council President Gordon Pitts accepted the donation on behalf of the Jones County Fire Council.  “We are very thankful to the folks at Plum Creek who made this donation possible,” noted Pitts.  “This donation will allow us to purchase over one mile of forestry fire hose which will be used to equip fire department brush trucks with brand new fire hose.”  Adds McKenna, “The 1” forestry hose we will be purchasing is lightweight, easy to maneuver and allows firefighters to utilize water for fighting grass, brush and woods fires much more effectively than structural firefighting hose.  We are very grateful to the  Plum Creek Foundation for awarding these funds to the Jones County Fire Council.”

Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with over seven million acres of timberland owned and under resource management.  In Jones County, Plum Creek owns and manages 24,000 acres of timberland primarily planted in pine trees with some smaller tracts of hardwood.  Timber which is harvested is sold to a variety of local manufacturers including Georgia Pacific, Hood Industries, Scott Plywood and others for processing into products for retail sale.

Jones County Sheriff’s Department Grant Administrator Lance Chancellor prepared the grant application for the Jones County Fire Council and was very pleased that it scored competitively and was awarded.  “Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge has asked me and I’ve certainly agreed to help other emergency services agencies in Jones County find and apply for grants and foundation funds.  Our motto is “if you don’t ask, the answer is already no” so we’re being very aggressive in searching for and applying for these funds which help supplement local budgets and save taxpayers money. “

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, alex hodge, Dan McKenna, Ellisville Fire Department, Firefighting, Gordon Pitts, Grant Administrator Lance Chancellor, James Castleberry, Jones County, Jones County Fire Council, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Plum Creek Foundation, Wildland fire suppression

Child Killed, Car Driver Critical Following Crash | Van hits 18 wheeler head-on in Jones County

A head-on crash between an eighteen wheeler tanker and a Chrysler Town & Country mini-van has left a female child passenger dead and the adult female driver of the van in extremely critical condition. Volunteer fire and rescue units from Sandersville and Rustin were dispatched to the call just before 2:00 p.m. with the wreck reported on Sandersville-Pleasant Grove Road near Jessie Byrd Road. A second alarm dispatched Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue with Rescue 1 and Heavy Rescue. Upon arrival, emergency services units advised both victims in the van were trapped and extensive extrication efforts were undertaken usingthree full sets of hydraulic rescue tools.

Multiple units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, EMServ Ambulance Service, Sandersville Police Department, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna and Beat 3 Supervisor Barry Saul responded to the call. The adult female driver was extricated and driven by ambulance to a nearby landing zone in a field where an Air Care rescue helicopter landed. Rustin firefighters established and manned the landing zone during the air rescue helicopter’s landing and departure. The female child was declared deceased at the scene and firefighters worked diligently for nearly thirty minutes to extricate her body from the destroyed vehicle. The driver of the eighteen wheeler owned by T.K. Stanley was unhurt. The roadway was closed for over three hours as rescue, accident investigation and vehicle recovery operations proceeded. Seven rescue and fire apparatus along with nearly twenty volunteer firefighters from the three volunteer fire departments responded to the scene. Beat 3 units were called in to sand the roadway which was coated in vehicle fluids and fuel. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department. UPDATE: Additional responding agencies to the fatality crash in Sandersville today included:

District Attorney Investigator Wayne Black, Deputy Coroner Burl Hall, Jones County Fire Chaplain Drew Blanton

We understand that the adult female driver of the mini-van who was transported by Aircare rescue helicopter was sent to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Filed under: Breaking News, Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, fatality, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Sandersville, Sandersville Police Department

Help Jones County VFD's

JONES COUNTY FIRE COUNCIL JOINS “POWER THOSE WHO PROTECT US” PROGRAM

TO BUILD GREATER AWARENESS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS NEEDS

Duracell and the National Volunteer Fire Council Launch Battery Donation Program Nationwide

The eighteen Jones County volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department that are members of the Jones County Fire Council today joined forces with more than 23,000 other volunteer fire departments across the country in the Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program created by Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council. The program helps build greater awareness around the challenges volunteer firefighters face on a daily basis and the need to help support them. Most fire departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteer firefighters who rely on approximately 20 percent of their funding to come from local fundraising and donations.*

The Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program lets consumers give back to local volunteer firefighters, like those in Jones County who devote countless hours of their free time to protecting our communities. When consumers purchase specially marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to help power communication devices and life-saving

equipment.  By going to www.duracell.com/protect, donations can also be earmarked to local departments by zip code.

“The majority of fire departments in the U.S. are being staffed by volunteer firefighters, many of which, like us, lack enough funding for basic equipment needs,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “We’re asking everyone to help make a difference and purchase specially marked Duracell batteries so our stations can receive much needed support to power our communication devices. From personal alert system devices, thermal imaging cameras and personnel location equipment, to radios and flashlights – batteries help power these critical tools.”  For more information about Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us program, please visit www.duracell.com/protect.

Jones County volunteer  fire and rescue departments include:

District 1 – Calhoun, Hebron, Pleasant Ridge, Soso

District 2 – Shady Grove, Sharon

District 3 – Rustin, Sandersville

District 4 – Glade, M&M, Powers

District 5 – Johnson, Moselle, Ovett, Union

District 6 – Boggy, South Jones, Southwest Jones

Plus, Ellisville Fire Department which is a combination career and volunteer fire department

About Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us Program

Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us donation program lets consumers give back to the selfless heroes who devote their time to protect their communities. When a consumer purchases specially-marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to power communication devices and life-saving equipment.

About the National Volunteer Fire Council

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS , and rescue services. Organized in 1976, the NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer fire and emergency services in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Each state firefighter’s association elects a representative to the NVFC Board of Directors.

*Source: FEMA US Fire Administration 2005, Survey of the Needs of US Fire Service

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Duracell, Ellisville Fire Department, FEMA US Fire Administration, Fire station, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Fire Council, National Volunteer Fire Council, Public safety, Sandersville, Sharon, Volunteer fire department

Car Collides With Train In Sandersville | Driver injured

A Nissan Altima driven by an adult female which was crossing the railroad crossing at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Road in Sandersville apparently didn’t see an oncoming Norfolk Southern freight train on Thursday night and was hit by the train’s engine.  The devastating crash spun the Altima around and tossed it off the tracks as the train conductor made an emergency stop.  Sandersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the call at 11:53 p.m. and responded with Engine 1, Engine 2 and Rescue 1 under the command of Fire Chief John Bounds. Multiple units from the Sandersville Police Department under the command of Police Chief Tony Hosey, units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna also responded to the incident.

The driver of the vehicle was trapped briefly in her car before being extricated by emergency responders and transported by EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries.  The Norfolk Southern freight train was pulling twenty-two freight cars headed north to Meridian when the accident occurred.  There were no reports of injuries to any of the train personnel and no damage to the train tracks reported.  An investigator from the Mississippi Department of Transportation Rails Division was also dispatched to the scene to conduct a post-crash investigation.  The crossing where the accident occurred was not equipped with crossing signal arms or other electronic warning devices.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, John Bounds, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi Department of Transportation Rails Division, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Sandersville, Sandersville Police Department, South Central Regional Medical Center, Tony Hosey

Thursday Morning Fire Destroys Campers, Pickup Truck and Storage Building in Glade Community

Firefighters save adjoining shop, other camper trailers

A raging fire destroyed two goose-neck camper trailers, a Chevrolet extended cab pickup and a storage building at 1520 Hwy. 15 South in the Glade Community on Thursday morning. Volunteer fire units from Glade, M&M and Powers were dispatched to the call at 2:58 a.m. and responded with three fire engines, two fire tankers and two rescue trucks. Firefighters initially feared that a man might be trapped in one of the burning campers; however, it was later determined that he was out of town. Firefighters were able to save an adjoining shop building housing industrial equipment and tools and at least two other camper trailers that would have been exposed to the fire had the shop burned.

Volunteer fire units were on the scene until 4:30 a.m. conducting fire suppression, search and overhaul operations. There were no injuries reported to any firefighters on the scene. The temperature at the time of the fire was 18 degrees leading to firefighters turnout gear, helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus which got wet during the fire attack to freeze over. In addition, water used during the fire attack quickly froze on the ground creating a virtual ice skating rink in areas around the fire scene. Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, Jones County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chris Livingston and a unit from Dixie Electric Power Association also responded to the scene. Damage to the campers, pickup and building will be in the thousands of dollars.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Chris Livingston, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Dixie Electric Power Association, fire, Glade, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff

Crash Injures Six On Hwy. 84 East Jones County | Two children among victims

A two vehicle accident on Hwy. 84 East near Eastview Drive left six victims injured on Sunday night with two other individuals arrested at the scene.  Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the call at 11:48 p.m. and responded with Powers Rescue 1 and Powers Heavy Rescue.  In addition, multiple units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Lance Taylor and Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna responded to the scene.

Initial reports indicate that a Toyota Corola was hit from behind by a KIA Sportage in the westbound lanes on Hwy. 84 East.  Four adults and two children were transported from the scene by three ambulances from EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel for treatment of undisclosed injuries.  The driver of the KIA and another individual who arrived on the scene after the accident were taken into custody on undisclosed charges and transported to the Jones County Adult Detention Facility.

Both westbound lanes of Hwy. 84 East were closed for over an hour as rescue, accident investigation and vehicle recovery operations were conducted.  Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene.  Powers Fire Chief Tim Flynt served as Incident Commander during the fire department response to the incident.  All emergency services units were back in service by 1:00 a.m. on Monday following the crash response.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Lance Taylor, Powers Fire Chief, South Central Regional Medical Center, Tim Flynt