Jones County Fire Coordinator

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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

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

Man Seriously Injured In Jones Co. Wreck | Car leaves roadway, striking stumps and tree

An adult male driver of a Kia passenger car suffered what appeared to be serious injuries in an accident on Township Road in the Glade Community on Monday evening.

The vehicle left the roadway near the 500 block of Township Road in a sharp curve striking large tree stumps and a dead tree before coming to rest in the edge of the woods.  Volunteer firefighters and Medical First Responders from Glade Volunteer Fire & Rescue responded with Glade Rescue 1 and Engine 1 to the scene immediately as they were in their regular monthly meeting at the fire station which is less than two miles away.

The driver of the vehicle was extricated and transported by EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

Two units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department along with Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna also responded to the crash scene which closed the roadway to one lane of traffic for over thirty minutes.

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

Massive Blaze Destroys Poultry House in Jones County

Firefighters work to cool exposed diesel fuel tanks at the scene of a massive poultry house fire on Jessie Byrd Road in the Rustin Community of Jones County.

A massive blaze on Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m. at 173 Jessie Byrd Road in the Rustin Community destroyed a poultry house and threatened another as volunteer firefighters from four departments battled the flames and below freezing temperatures.  The owner of the poultry farm, Cindy Bolivar, and her husband Stanley were awakened by two hunters who were passing by and saw the poultry house in flames and dialed 911 to report the fire.  Volunteer fire and rescue units from Rustin and Sandersville responded on the first alarm and arrived to find the first poultry house engulfed in fire with flames threatening a large commercial propane tank and two large diesel fuel tanks in addition to another nearby poultry house.  A second alarm was dispatched requesting both M&M and Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue to respond to the scene as well.

Firefighters instituted fire suppression efforts with initial concentration on cooling the propane and diesel tanks to prevent the potential for an explosion.  Five fire engines, three tankers, a rescue unit, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna and a unit from Dixie Electric Power Association responded to the blaze.  Mr. Bolivar reported that both poultry houses had chickens picked up about a week ago and that both houses were in the process of being cleaned and readied for the next batch of chickens.  The Bolivar’s raise poultry for Sanderson Farms and damage to the farm is estimated to exceed $300,000.  Firefighters were on the scene for over three hours conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Cindy Bolivar, Dan McKenna, Firefighting, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Sandersville, Volunteer fire department

Teenager Avoids Injury In Jones County Crash | "Thanksgiving" comes a few hours early

A seventeen year old Jones County teenager is thankful that he was not seriously injured in a crash on Old Hwy. 15 South on Wednesday evening.   According to reports from the scene, the teenager struck a bridge abutment near 1015 Old Hwy. 15 South demolishing all of the bridge railing as the Toyota pickup truck rode along the top of the bridge then struck a power pole on the other side of the bridge.  Volunteer fire and rescue units including Medical First Responders from Ovett, Johnson and Glade along with units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and EMServ Ambulance Service responded to the crash expecting the worst; however, the teenager did not appear to suffer any significant injuries and declined transport to the hospital.

Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, who responded to the crash scene, noted “This wreck could have been so much worse.  It’s a miracle the truck didn’t flip upside down into the creek, that the bridge railing didn’t penetrate the truck cab or that the impact with the power pole didn’t drop live electrical lines onto the pickup.  This young man has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday.”

In addition to emergency service units, Dixie Electric Power Association responded to repair the damaged power pole and a crew from Jones County Beat 4 responded to evaluate and replace the destroyed bridge railing.  Ovett Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Gordon Pitts served as Incident Commander during the fire department response to the wreck.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Dixie Electric Power Association, EMServ Ambulance Service, Gordon Pitts, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department

Fire Ravages Ovett Home | Six VFD's Respond To Blaze

A two alarm fire at a residence on Royal Avenue in Ovett on Sunday morning at 12:56 a.m. keep volunteer firefighters from six departments busy until nearly 4:00 a.m.

The first alarm dispatched volunteer fire units from Ovett, Johnson, Union and Moselle with Ovett volunteers reporting flames visible from their fire station.  Upon arrival, Ovett requested a second alarm which sent Glade Engine 1 and Tanker 1 and Powers Tanker 1 to the scene.  According to reports from the scene, two additional structures were threatened along with a residential propane tank located approximately ten feet from the burning home.

Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna along with units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.

No cause of the fire was immediately determine and a fire investigator from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department was expected on the scene later Sunday to try to determine the cause of the fire.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, fire, Fire investigation, fire investigator, Jones, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Ovett