VALLEY SPRINGS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Valley Springs Fire Department was formed by a group of concerned citizens in 1977. Originally, the fire department was to serve the community of Valley Springs and as a result, one building and one fire truck was acquired through donations from community support.
The Valley Springs fire department operates under the supervision of a Board of Directors, made up of community leaders and firemen. The department maintains a group of about 20 volunteer firemen and first responders. In 1993, the department added a first responder group which averages over 300 calls a year for helping those in need during personal emergencies. The fire department responds to approximately over 40 types of fire calls per year.
The Valley Springs Fire department is financially supported mainly by dues collected from patrons who live in the fire district. Additional funds are also received through the local and state government. Grant funds are also sought after each year.
Fire coverage was soon to grow beyond the original area, because of community need. The Quorum Court of Boone County sets the fire districts for all fire departments in Boone County. The Valley Springs Fire Department now covers approximately 60 square miles with four fire stations. The district covers areas from Silver Valley Road on the north to the Boone-Newton county line to the south, as well as areas east and west of Highway 65.
The department has one engine stationed in Bellefonte and one engine in Everton, and two engines in the Valley Springs area. These engines are supported by four tankers in the same areas. We also operate two brush trucks for grass fires and one service truck for accidents and other department needs.
The department has one engine stationed in Bellefonte and one engine in Everton, and two engines in the Valley Springs area. These engines are supported by four tankers in the same areas. We also operate two brush trucks for grass fires and one service truck for accidents and other department needs.
HISTORY
The Valley Springs Fire Association was organized in November of 1977. The first meeting of the Association was held in the Valley Springs School on Friday, Nov. 11th, 1977.
Charlie Fullerton was elected to serve as president: Allen Young as vice-president and Billie Young as secretary-treasurer. Peck Trammell was elected to serve as Fire Chief and assisting him as firemen would be: Coy Snow, Joe Green, James Yarbrough, Bob McCutcheon, Dick Trammell, Francis Wise, Jack Yancey, Charles Troutman, Paul Smith, Ron Lowery, Roy Keele, Mickey Jones, J.B. Bryant, George Hamilton, David Roberts, Jerry Thomason, Steve White, Bob Yarbrough, Don Fullerton, Bob Galligher, and Lester Grandon.
The following Board members were elected to serve one year: Troy Harmon, Paul Turney, Frank Mangrum, Larry Phillips, Kenneth Young, Gene Jones, J.B. Dickey, Denzil Drewry, and Charles Vaclavicek.
In June of 1978, enough money had been raised for the Fire Association to construct a building to house one truck and have a place for the firemen to meet and train and for the Valley Springs City Council to meet. A 1953 Ford 500 gallon pumper was the first truck purchased.
An open house was held in June of 1978. Among the many people attending the open house was Boone County Judge Clifford Thomlinson and Daisy Bowden, who had donated the land on which the fire station was built.
From that humble beginning, the Valley Springs Fire Department has continued a steady growth and improvement in order to meet the needs of the Valley Springs, Bellefonte, and Everton areas. The association began with a membership of about 200 faithful patrons. By the turn of the century, that number had grown to almost 1000 patrons.
In 1978, Dick Trammell was elected the second Fire Chief of the young department and served in that capacity until 1982. Gale Ruhwedel was elected to serve in that capacity as the next Fire Chief. Gene Wilburn also served as Fire Chief following Mr. Ruhwedel. Succeeding Gene Wilburn, was Tom Raver, who served as Fire Chief until Joe Green assumed that position in 2007 and served till 2015. Alan Sandefur was elected to assume the role as Fire Chief until May 1st 2020. Gary Methvin served as Fire Chief until April of 2024. Dustin Raby was elected to serve as Fire Chief.
VALLEY SPRINGS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Address: P.O. Box 13 Valley Springs, AR 72682
Call: (870) 429-5500
Email: chief@valleyspringsfire.org