Local family donates to Portageville Fire Department

Like most volunteer fire departments throughout the country, it is hard to keep up to date on equipment. However, with the death of a long time volunteer firefighter, Joe Simmons, his family decided to give back to the fire department with a huge financial donation that made it possible for the department to get top of the line Twistlock Vehicle Stabilizers by Paratech for the department's extrication truck.

"The Simmons family, at the time of Joe's funeral, asked that financial gifts be made to the fire department in lieu of flowers. That money, with a hugh donation from the Simmons family, has made getting this equipment possible," said George Delisle, treasurer of the fire department. Joe served on the fire department from 1970 through 2005.

"This new equipment will allow us to be able to work with Sikeston Department of Public Safety (DPS) much better with extrication calls. We have been called to assist DPS at least six times in the past few years. Sikeston had their stabilizers units, while we had boards and wood blocks. We can help each other much better," Delisle added.

New stabilization bars purchased.

New stabilization bars purchased.

In addition to the stabilizing bars, the department got another hose nozzle.

The Portageville Volunteer Fire Department and their fire and rescue unit are always on call and ready to provide mutual aid to surrounding fire department. Their coverage area begins at the Wardell exit on I-55 and north to exit 52 near Matthews.