July 12, 1995

Fire Chief pleased with changes

       The White River Township Fire Department is undergoing changes, and Fire Chief Scott Cassin wants the public to know about it.  We want the public to know at their money’s being used for,” said Cassin.  The department’s changes include a new access telephone number, the purchase of a new fire engine, and renovations to Station #2 on Runyon Road.  A new E-911 phone number helps callers summon firefighters or other emergency personnel to the scene.  The department’s previous emergency number, 881-3600, rang at the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, .which would notify the department.  Now, by simply dialing 911, callers communicate their location without even speaking.  The “E” in E-911 stands for enhanced.  The 911 number has long been used for emergencies, but technology has allowed for the enhanced service to notify dispatchers of the address, phone number and registered name of the line from which the call was made.  If the caller stays on the line for at least seven to 10 seconds, a screen comes up with that information. That can be really helpful with someone who’s deaf or choking,” said Cassin. The department’s public affairs director, Ed Frederick, explained why this can be so important. “A couple years ago some girls who were deaf and mute were home alone when they smelled gas. They called 911, and even though they were unable to speak we knew where they lived and were able to report,” he said. Frederick said the caller’s information is sent directly to the station, which makes it convenient for firefighters.  “Now we can just rip off a hard copy of the location and take it with us on a run. When you just wake up at two in the morning, it’s sometimes hard to understand or remember what the dispatcher said.”  Cassin said the new E-911 number (the “E” need not be dialed) was accepted slowly. After its first year, about 50 percent of residents used it, and now 97 percent use it in the second year, he said.  “We’d like everyone to use the E911 number,” he said. The former seven-digit number will remain because some home security systems benefit from its use.  “A security technician receiving a call in Texas can’t call 911 for the Greenwood area, he’d have to call the other number,” said Cassin.  Regardless of the number they call, local residents with fire emergencies are likely to see a new engine answer calls starting in November.  The department recently spent $140,000 on a 33-foot fire engine, which can pump 1,500 gallons of water a minute.  The 1981 engine, which is being traded in the purchase, carried only two firefighters.  “We need at least three, preferably five people on a run,” said Cassin.  The new engine, which carries five people, has room for all but one person to put on airpacks and prepare other equipment on the way to the scene, which Frederick said saves a minute and a half.  “This way, the second they step off the truck they can go fight the fire,” he said.  Soon, firefighters will have more space to await the call for fires.  Bids should soon be back on an expansion project for the Station #2 building.  “We’re shooting for around $120,000” worth of renovations, said Cassin. Construction will include replacing a roof over the front of the station, adding two locker rooms and adding a second floor.  The addition will include office space and raise the sleeping capacity from four to seven.  Cassin said the fire department answers about a thousand calls a year.  “Hopefully these changes will help us better serve the community,” he said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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