Correspondent

Already answering calls in all of the Harrogate area and available for mutual aid upon request in the surrounding areas, the Harrogate Volunteer Fire Department is up and running.

Fire Chief John Adams, Assistant Chief Ray Paul, and Deputy Chief Gary Rose along with the Harrogate Board of Mayor and Aldermen are very proud and excited about the city's newest service.

The department has two trucks. One is a 4,000 gallon tanker with capability of pumping 1,000 gallons per minute, and the other is a 500 gallon tanker with the ability to pump 1,250 gallons per minute; both trucks are fully equipped and up and running. With new paint jobs, both trucks beam as do the new six members of the new department.

The city is currently working very closely with Cumberland Gap Fire Department, and expects to make a permanent take over of Harrogate territory with 911 and the county by Dec. 1st. However, with the generosity of Lincoln Memorial University and the Claiborne County Board of Education, the two trucks and the members of the Harrogate Department will soon have a new location beside H.Y. Livesay Middle School.

With appreciation from the city, Billy Woodward is operating equipment (a bulldozer from Joe Ely and other equipment from Elmo Greer); the city is currently working on a new building with three truck bays for the fire department. Looking into the near future, Harrogate is talking with the county about putting an EMS station up as well. They are looking at the possibilty of a separate building with three ambulance bays. They also plan to put a permanent Helipad for Life Star and other such emergency air evacuation helicopters. This will be the first base in the county where all three services are offered together. The fire department plans to be in their new building by next summer. However, the other services and buildings appear to be on a five year plan.

While the department is currently using both members from Harrogate and Cumberland Gap, they are encouraging and accepting new members.

"There are jobs for people of all ages, men and women," says Mayor Bill Fultz.

They are looking for firefighters, but other areas are open as well, such as the auxiliary, which will be helping with fundraisers, department dinners, support, and many other jobs. Anyone wanting to help or join can contact Rose Kiser at city hall, Chief John Adams or Deputy Chief Gary Rose at 869-4361. The city is paying for all training after acceptance of applications. All firefighters will undergo training in the areas of Fire 1 and 2, Fire and Rescue, and Vehicle extraction, all according to state standards. The city through the department is working on setting up an Incident Command Board, which coincides with the recently instated NEMS.

The City of Harrogate invites anyone wanting to know more information about the Department or Departments to attend the department meetings. Harrogate Volunteer Fire Department Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Cumberland Gap Fire Department until the new building can be erected; and Cumberland Gap Fire Department meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.