Ozark County’s fire departments need dues-paying members and volunteers – and welcome donations

The Times recently published lists of charitable organizations that serve Ozark County and suggested that area residents might be willing to support those groups financially. The 15 volunteer fire departments that serve Ozark County are also charitable organizations, and almost all say they need more volunteers and dues-paying members. And all of the departments are nonprofit organizations that welcome financial gifts to support their work, maintain and fuel their equipment and help pay for training. 

Those who are new to the area and don’t know which district serves your property, call Ozark County Emergency Management Director Curtis Ledbetter at the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department, 417-679-4633. 

Also, residents are reminded that fire department dues are a bargain, considering that dues-paying members are not charged when the volunteer fire department responds to a fire or other emergency on their property, but state statue allows departments to charge fees, often based on the number of firefighters and time spent in the response, for those who are not members. And that can amount to hundreds of dollars. 

Here’s a list of where to send dues and donations to support Ozark County volunteer fire departments and how to get involved in the department that serves you area. 

The Ozark County Fire Chiefs Association 

This organization, which comprises officials from all Ozark County departments, welcomes financial donations to help pay for training sessions and the manuals and equipment used in them. Recently a fundraising drive was launched, featuring window decals that say, “I support my Ozark County Fire Depts.” 

The decals are offered for a minimum $5 donation (but larger donations are happily accepted); they may be ordered by making checks payable to Ozark County Fire Chiefs Association and mailing them to P.O. Box 552, Gainesville, MO 65655. 

Brixey-Rockbridge VFD 

About 100 to 120 households make up the Brixey-Rockbridge Volunteer Fire Department’s membership, which covers about 250 properties total. Dues are $40 and can be mailed to RBVFD Treasurer, 33941 State Highway 95, Brixey, MO 65618. Payment is due by the department’s annual meeting, which is usually held in February. The department has four primary volunteers, plus a few others who  help when they can. To inquire about volunteering, contact BRVFD chief Randy Joe Stout,  417-683-5044 

Caney Mountain VFD 

The Caney Mountain Volunteer Fire Department’s 160 members make up just over half of the residents in the department’s coverage area. Dues are $45 for households and $60 for businesses, and are due at the end of September. Checks can be mailed to 4502 County Road 103, Gainesville, MO 65655. Those interested in joining the department’s 16 volunteers can call CMVFD treasurer Shirrley Williams at 417-712-1657. Follow Caney Mountain Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook for more information.

Caulfield VFD

The Caulfield Volunteer Fire Department has around 275 members, which is about 40 percent of the residents in their district. Dues are $35 a year and are due March 1. The department currently has 10 volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can call Chief Shannon Sisney at 417-719-9911, extension 4. Dues and donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 92, Caulfield, MO 65626. For updates, visit the Caulfield Membership Fire Department page on Facebook.

Cloud 9 VFD

Although Cloud 9 Ranch’s fire department mainly serves the 6,500-acre Cloud 9 Ranch property in Caulfield, it does respond to nearby calls and provides mutual aid to other departments when needed. Rather than collecting membership dues, the department is funded though donations and fundraisers. Fire Chief Joey Hedrick said the department has 34 total volunteers, with no fewer than 15 usually available at any given time. To volunteer, call Hedrick at 417-204-2155 or email c9rchief@gmail.com. To mail a donation, send checks payable to Cloud 9 VFD to 2810 Cloud 9 drive, Caulfield, MO 65626.  

Dora VFD

Around 250 residents of the 696 households in the district are members of the Dora Volunteer Fire Department. Dues are $45 a year and can be mailed to Amanda McKee, 2312 McKee Village Road, Dora, MO 65637. Payment is due Sept. 1. The department needs more volunteers, said Chief Monte Shipley. Call him at 417-284-3930 to get involved, and visit the Dora Volunteer Fire Department  Facebook page for more information.

Gainesville VFD

Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department responded to 123 calls in 2020: 44 fire and vehicle accidents, and 79 medical calls. It also responded to 39 mutual aid calls to assist other VFDs. GVFD does not collect dues from the residents it serves within the Gainesville city limits; it is supported by the city sales tax. However, it welcomes financial gifts to pay for equipment and training that may not be covered by its regular budget. Those who want to know more about volunteering should leave their names at Gainesville City Hall for fire chief Ed Doiron. To donate to GVFD, make checks payable to the City of Gainesville, noting “Gainesville VFD” on the memo line, and drop them off at City Hall or mail them P.O. Box 355, Gainesville, MO 65655.  

Lick Creek VFD

The Lick Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to 118 incidents (fires, medical calls, vehicle crashes) in 2020, the most ever.  LCVFD has 250 members, and there are about 340 residents or property owners in its district. Yearly dues are $40 a year for individual households, $60 for two or more homes, or $80 for businesses. Payment is due March 15 and can be mailed to Membership Committee, 14411 County Road 552, Gainesville, MO 65655, or it can be dropped off at Miller’s Store at Highways 160 and J.  Fifteen volunteers are on the LCVFD roster.  Contact fire chief Jerry Rowlett to inquire about volunttering: 417-679-4577 or email rowlett52@yahoo.com. For more information, visit the Lick Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Department page on Facebook.

Pontiac / Price Place VFD

There are about 270 households in the Pontiac/Price Place Volunteer Fire Department’s district, and most of them are members, a spokesperson said. Dues, which are collected Jan. 1 through March 1, can be mailed to P.O. Box 1, Pontiac, MO 65729. The cost is $60 per household or $125 for a business. The department has 17 volunteers but is in need of more, especially volunteers who can respond during the week. To inquire about volunteering, call PPPVFD chief Khristie Jacquin at 618-444-4981. For more information, visit the Pontiac/Price Place Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.

Pottersville VFD

Most of the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department’s coverage area is in Howell County, but some Ozark County residents are included. The department has 325 total members, which is about 50 percent of district residents. Dues are $50 a year and are collected a year from when membership started. Dues and donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 34, Pottersville, MO 65790. Fourteen volunteers are on the current roster. Those interested in volunteering can call the department at 417-256-4848. For more information, visit the Pottersville Fire Department Facebook page. 

Tecumseh VFD

Membership in the Tecumseh Volunteer Fire Department fluctuates between 280 and 320 households. Dues are $45 a year and go up depending on the number of properties and whether they are residential or commercial. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 413, Tecumseh, MO 65760, and should be paid a year from when membership started. The department has 14 volunteers on its roster. To learn more about volunteering, call Caroline Israel at 417-284-1606. Events and other information can be found on the Tecumseh Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page. “We’re not just for fires” said Israel, who explained that first responders are on call 24 hours a day for motor vehicle accidents and other medical emergencies.

Theodosia Area VFD

The Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department has about 700 members, which accounts for most residences in the area. Membership dues, which are $55, are collected Sept. 1. Dues and donations may be mailed  to P.O. Box 59, Theodosia, MO 65761. The department currently has about a dozen  volunteers.  Call chief John Lubbers at 417-273-4323 to become a volunteer, and follow Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook to keep up with department activities.

Thornfield VFD

The Thornfield Volunteer Fire Department has 150 members, which is about 50 percent of the total residents in its district. Dues are $35 if paid by January of each year, and $45 if paid after Feb. 1. Payment can be mailed to P.O. Box 243, Thornfield, MO 65762. The department has 10 volunteers and can always use more, a spokesperson said. Those who would like to get involved can call board president Larry Tucker at 417-527-1117. “It’s been a good year; our medical first responders do a tremendous job,” said Tucker.

Timber Knob VFD

Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department has about 150 members. “Most people in the area are members. Our area is really good about paying,” said fire chief Ruby Winslow.  Dues are $55 a year and are due Feb. 1. Dues and donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 132, Gainesville, MO 65655. The department has 22 volunteers; those interested in volunteering should call Winslow at 417-679-3138. Timber Knob also heads the Ozark County Honor Guard that leads the Hootin an Hollarin parade, oversees flag retirements and appears at firefighter funerals and other events.

Wasola VFD

Membership ranges from 250 to 275 members for the Wasola Volunteer Fire Department, and that is about 50 percent of residents in the coverage area. Dues, which can be mailed to P.O. Box 413, Wasola, MO 65773, are $50 a year. Payment is due a year from whenever the member joined. The department has 9 or 10. Those interested in getting involved should call chief Scott Watson at 417-300-3754.