Eureka Springs Fire Department

Emergency Medical Service

Message From The Fire Chief

Eureka Springs is truly a unique city. Established in the late 1800's it is still a nineteenth century city thriving in the twenty-first century. Eureka Springs offers Victorian charm in its structures with many bed & breakfast, gift shops, and art galleries as well as historic hotels and motels.

The Fire Department prides itself on being a Fire and Emergency Medical Service that parallels that of any major city. In addition to twelve fully paid professionals, the department is augmented by twenty-five volunteers.

The Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service contracts with the Western Carroll County Ambulance District to provide Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) Emergency Medical Service to the Western District of Carroll County. Area volunteer fire departments, Holiday Island, Grassy Knob, and Inspiration Point, have Emergency Medical Responders who first respond to any incident in their response area to provide immediate patient stabilization and assist our Paramedics upon their arrival. When the need arises, we utilize one of the regions air ambulances for transport to an appropriate facility.

The Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service also provides fire protection to those living in the rural area to the south and east of the City. To provide this service we solicit rural membership dues. The annual dues are $25.00 for undeveloped property and $50.00 for property with a structure. Funds accumulated by the dues are used to purchase fire fighting vehicles, equipment, and to construct fire stations for the rural area.

The Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service has a Fire Prevention Inspection Program designed to inspect and increase safety in every business in town. This safety inspection not only serves to keep our businesses safe from fire, but will also ensures a safe environment for those visiting with us.

The Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service accepts applications on an ongoing basis for volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Responders. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please click on this link for an application.

If you are interested in applying for full time employment, please click on this link for a City of Eureka Springs Employment application. A sample of requirements for full time employment includes but is not limited to: Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, (requirement to become paramedic in twenty-four to thirty months after start date) and Firefighter II (or ability to complete Arkansas Fire Academy Fire Fighter Standards Class within one year).

Should you have any questions regarding the Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service please feel free to call 479-253-9616, Fax 479-253-9006, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it me here.

Thank you for your interest in our city and its Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department.

Rhys Williams, Fire Chief

Mission Statement

The Eureka Springs Fire Department is an organization of dedicated professionals who are committed to serving the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, emergency medical and fire service.

We will provide fire protection for the Greater Eureka Springs area and Paramedic level Emergency Medical Service throughout Western Carroll County by adequately staffing, training, and equipping our professional emergency service specialists.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

FIRE CHIEF -

Rhys Williams

ASSISTANT CHIEF

Tom Dransfield

Fire Marshall - Jimmy Kelley

Bob Kelley

CAPTAINS: Harry Huntley, Larry Hodge, Jed Bullock,

Billy Summers, Scott Howie, Jason Morris

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

The Eureka Springs Fire Department staffs and operates two Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) ambulances and one reserve Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) and one BLSambulance to provide Paramedic level emergency care to the City of Eureka Springs and the Western District of Carroll County.

Since 1996 we have utilized Physio-Control Lifepak-12 cardiac monitor/defibrillators with 12 lead ECG and pulse oximetry.

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COMMUNITY CPR TRAINING PROGRAM

All Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service personnel are all certified American Heart Association CPR and First Aid instructors. The department has regular classes that are free to the public. Please contact us for course dates and to pick up course materials. Courses are also available to local businesses and organizations.

Contact Eureka Springs Firefighter/Paramedic/Captain Scott Howie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information about the next scheduled class, or to schedule a class for your business or organization.

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SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES

Smoke detectors are a valuable item to have in your place of residence. Arkansas ranks fourth in the Nation in mortality from fires. From 1988 - 1992, 364 Arkansans died from "accidents caused by fire." The age groups at highest risk were children under the age of 5 years and adults ages 65 and older. Unlike national statistics that show a steady decline in deaths due to fires over the last decade, Arkansas' death rates do no reflect this trend. Since the start of 2001 Arkansas has led the nation in fire related deaths. A properly working smoke detector will alert you if you have a fire and this will let you get out of the house before toxic gases and extreme heat will harm you. Everyone should check their detectors monthly and replace the battery twice a year

• Install a smoke detector in every area of your home. There should be a smoke detector in the kitchen and dining area, the hall and bedroom area, at the top of stairways, and the utility or garage area.
• Test your smoke detectors every month. All brands have a self test button that will sound the alarm when held down.
• Change your smoke detector batteries every six months. A good rule of thumb is to change your batteries when the time changes. "Fall back, Spring forward, and change your batteries when you change your time."
• During the holidays, hang a smoke detector inside your Christmas tree. If there is a fire, this detector could be your early warning.

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HAVE A HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

The chance of surviving a fire in your home is much greater if you have a home fire escape plan. These guidelines will aid in developing your own fire escape plan:

• Include the entire family in your plan. Small children must be involved in the plan and practice so that they know what to do.
• Map out two escape routes from every room.
• Purchase chain ladders for exiting from above the first floor.
• Make sure that windows can quickly be opened in the event that you must use one to exit a fire.
• Discuss and agree on what to do with a pet if fire breaks out; you may not have time to save your pet.
• Designate a place outside the home where family members can meet after escaping from a fire.
• In a fire, crawl low on the floor with your mouth covered with a cloth or towel until you can exit.
• Go to your designated meeting place and stay put.

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TOUR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Visitors are always welcome at the fire department during business hours, seven days a week. Fire personnel are happy to tour and explain the station, fire trucks, and ambulance equipment.

If you would like a tour for your group, call the Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service to schedule a date and time.

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CHECKLIST FOR BABY SITTERS

EMERGENCY CALL 911
Parents Name:
Address:
(if rural area, include directions)
Town:
Phone Number:
Names & Ages of Children:

Neighbor's Name & Phone:
The doors are locked:
Bedtime Hour:

Name of family physician:
List any medications the children take:
List any allergies the children have:

The children are never left alone, even for a minute.
Know the dangers to children of matches, gasoline, the stove, water (even shallow bath water), poisons and falls.
Know the location of all exits. Make sure the baby sitter knows and understands the Home Fire Escape Plan.

1. Write down where you are going and how long you will be gone.

2. If you don't know the phone number of the place you're going, call when you reach your destination and give him/her the number.

3. Instruct sitter to have no guest unless you approve.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service a paid or volunteer department?
The Eureka Springs Fire Department Emergency Medical Service is a combination department consisting of twelve full time paid personnel, including the fire chief, and twenty-five volunteers. All paid personnel are cross trained to provide both emergency medical and fire service.

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Links To Other Sites

Arkansas State Firefighters Association
http://www.asffa.org

Oklahoma State University Fire Service Program
http://www.fireprograms.okstate.edu/index.ssi