First responders earn praise from commissioners

NEW MADRID, Mo. — “There is a network that is behind the scenes that holds your life together and you don’t even realize it,” reflected New Madrid County Presiding Commissioner Mark Baker. “It makes life livable and you don’t even know it is going on, at least most people don’t.”

Following recent fires which drew multiple volunteer fire departments together to battle the blazes and the solution of cold case murders and a murder along the interstate where a variety of law enforcement officers provided resources in an effort to bring about the resolutions, the New Madrid County Commissioners spent part of their meeting celebrating the efforts of the county’s many first responders.

“I’m going to say right off the bat that I’m extremely proud of the work that has been done by the first responders, all of them,” said Baker.

The joint efforts of the city police departments, sheriff’s department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to name the man responsible for a double murder near Portageville, a case that was unsolved for years, and the recent arrest of a suspect in a murder last fall at the southbound rest stop along Interstate 55 is typical of the county’s first responders, according to commissioners.

“I’ve been impressed with their efforts, when they go after something, they stay on it. You may not hear anything and you may think (the case) is dead but somebody is doing something,” said Baker, adding he expects such cooperation may lead to the solution of other unsolved cases.

While the solution of the murder cases draw the headlines, First District Commissioner Bobby Aycock noted much of the cooperation is more low key. Aycock pointed out after last year’s tornado swept through Matthews, all of the county’s ambulance crews assisted in evacuating nursing home residents from the damaged buildings. Other first responders from various towns were on the scene during the aftermath, he said.

The increased cooperation is due to several reasons, the commissioners agreed.

Upgrades to the county’s dispatching system, which was largely funded through the County Commission, has improved communication between departments, they said.

Also communication between communities has improved through monthly meetings of the county’s Mayors’ Association. The association works not only for the betterment of the county overall, the commissioners said, but have supported individual towns such as adding $500 to the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the arson at Parma’s city hall as well as volunteering additional assistance.

The commissioners also praised the monthly meetings of law enforcement officials under the direction of New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens. The meetings include not only the county and local law enforcement officers but also school resource officers, members of the highway patrol, the county’s prosecuting attorney, juvenile officers and others.

“It is pretty awesome to listen to them talk. and how everybody gets along from the north end of the county to south part of the county and on the east and the west sides,” said Aycock who attends the meetings along with the other two commissioners. “Everybody is on the same page.”

Second District Commissioner Don Day pointed out the volunteer opportunities for the public interested in becoming a first responder are wide ranging. In Portageville, he noted, training was offered by the National Weather Service for individuals to become weather spotters.

Others serve as volunteer firemen in their communities, added Aycock. He went on to praise those leading the various volunteer fire departments and their members.

Baker said the county will continue its efforts to organize those interested in search and rescue who own boats or all-terrain vehicles.

Because the first responders work well together, the commissioners emphasized, it is the citizens who reap the benefits.

Day noted whether the first responder is a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician or fireman they often face danger when they answer a call. “We are very fortunate and very blessed to have the first responders in New Madrid County,” Day said.

“I can’t say enough good about them. I’m one of the biggest fans of the first responders,” said Aycock. “It is just amazing since I have been here the way everything clicks.”

Added Baker, “I would hate to think of life in New Madrid County without them.”