Around Southeast Missouri 4/18/07

Firefighters fight blaze on DC Road 422A

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Fire Department responded to the scene of a fire where two demolished house trailers, some trash, tires and vegetation were burning out of control on Dunklin County Road 442A. Assistant chief David Horton said that when the department arrived, they used the department's drop tank. Drop tanks are tanks that are placed on the ground for the tanker trucks to dump water into, which is drafted into the fire trucks. "When we arrived at the scene, no one there claimed any responsibility for the fire," Horton said. "So the cause is still undetermined at this time." The Kennett Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire without accidents or injuries.

-- Daily Dunklin Democrat

Ambulance district to remodel instead of move

After years of planning, the Stoddard County Ambulance District (SCAD) has decided to add on to the building they are currently using, instead of trying to construct a new building. "We couldn't find any suitable property that was within our price range," said SCAD Director Dave Cooper. The district purchased the building they are now using approximately 20 years ago. The building had to be completely renovated down to the electrical wiring. Cooper said the district is considering attaching a two-story complex onto the existing one-story building. Office and training rooms will be kept on the first floor so they are handicap accessible. Crew quarters and some storage space will be on the second floor. The current kitchen area, Cooper's office and the current dispatch room will be joined to create one large communication center for dispatchers. Cooper said he wants to talk to the architect about turning the communication center into a safe room for staff during inclement weather.

-- Dexter Daily Statesman