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Fire Chief, Wayne Morgan speaks to club James Campbell introduced Rusk Fire Chief Wayne Morgan who brought the Lions Club program Aug. 16 on the Rusk Fire Department. He moved to Rusk in 1984, where he owns Affiliated Surveyors Inc. His wife, Marcia is a nurse for the Cherokee County Health Department. He is a Vietnam Veteran. He credited the real backbone of the fire department to the citizens of Rusk. Citizens contribute funds and volunteer services. Since 1984 the firefighters have been able to obtain proper clothing which protect them from fire. Two years ago the fire department obtained a grant of $69,000 to purchase 30 complete sets of protective gear for firemen. Each set includes pants, jacket, helmet and boots at a cost of $2,400. The grant also allowed the purchase of 15 self contained breathing units to protect firemen. Also equipment was purchased to allow a person to see in a dark smoky room. He said that several years ago with citizen donated funds firemen were able to buy several large fans to allow firemen to blow the smoke out of the house. The firemen do not have to crawl, but walk through the house. A ladder truck was purchased from local funds. The Rusk Fire Department is responsible for the protection of the Rusk State Hospital, and also the prison system. The Fire Department has a staff of 30 people counting volunteers. There are three paid staff members: Terry Joe Phillips, Donald Lankford and Kody Killion. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lankford are both licensed police officers. Mr. Phillips has an arson investigation license. Mr. Killion is a certified emergency medical technician. Annually the fire department answers approximately 200 calls. President Vic Whadford read a letter of appreciation from scholarship winner Kinsey Gresham thanking the club and giving assurance that she would continue her college career. On behalf of the club Sonny Adams was given the presidents plaque for serving as last year's president. Amy Derrington was awarded the Lion of the Year Award. |
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