Morrison firefighters honored
The Southern Standard has been publishing a series of articles highlighting these organizations and their members, along with information on their history and development.
This issue highlights Morrison Fire Department. The information was provided by department member Chuck Haston, who is also the local E911 director, an indication of the many roles some of these volunteers play in the community.
The Morrison Fire and Rescue Department was organized in 1950 and serves the southwestern portion of Warren County with fire protection, extrication, and first-responder services. The department began with one front-mount pumper to provide much-needed fire protection in the area.
Over the years, the department has grown with the community, acquiring the apparatus and equipment necessary to meet present-day firefighting challenges and industrial accidents. Chief of the Morrison Fire Department is Mark Parker, who was named chief after the retirement of longtime chief Bobby Prater. The department’s training officer is George Roberts.
Presently, the department has 30 firefighters and operates from three fire stations. Fire station 1 is located at City Hall in Morrison. Fire station 2, constructed in 1983, is located on Engle Boulevard in Smartt Station, and the department’s newest fire station, station 3, completed in 2006, is located on Manchester Highway. Station 3 also houses a unit from the Warren County Ambulance Service and was constructed with full living quarters and additional bay area for future expansion.
The Morrison Fire Department began offering extrication services in 1994 with a fully equipped rescue-pumper with extrication tools. The department’s fleet consists of two pumpers, a rescue pumper, tanker, and brush truck. The town of Morrison is committed to providing the citizens and businesses of the area the most advanced fire protection and rescue services possible.
The Morrison Fire Department’s coverage area includes residential, industrial, commercial, rural areas, nine miles of Highway 55, and a rail spur. Morrison’s fire district borders Centertown to the northwest, Viola to the east and the city of McMinnville to the north. Morrison averages between 130 and 150 calls for service annually.
In 2007, Morrison Fire Department, along with surrounding local agencies, participated in a disaster drill involving a train derailment and hostage scenario in the Morrison School area.