Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department

05/06/2026

04/28/2026

WEATHER ALERT | Tuesday, April 28

Severe weather is expected late this evening into the overnight hours for Hattiesburg and much of South Mississippi.

Forrest County is currently under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms, with the greatest threat expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

What’s Possible:
▪️Damaging winds up to 70 mph
▪️Hail up to golf ball size
▪️Tornadoes possible

Storms are expected to move through overnight while many people are asleep, which increases the importance of having multiple ways to receive warnings, including wireless emergency alerts on your phone, weather apps or a NOAA Weather Radio.

If Forrest County is placed under a Tornado Watch, the Forrest County 361 Storm Shelter (946 Sullivan Drive) will open and remain available for the duration of the threat.

Stay weather aware, review your safety plan and use caution if traveling tonight.

04/22/2026

Happy Birthday to RS-17 William Beckum! Hope your birthday is full of good food, no alarms (for once!), and plenty of time to kick back—you’ve earned it. Just remember… today you’re off duty, so someone else can chase the fire! 🚨🎂🔥

03/25/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to RS-23 Scott Jorns! 🎉

Wishing you a fantastic day filled with appreciation for all the dedication and service you give to the Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department and the community. Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed!

Hope your day is as awesome as you are—stay safe and enjoy every minute! 🚒🎂🎈

02/25/2026

🔥 On February 20–21, 2026, the Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department conducted a controlled burn at Jorns Road and Pitts Road for training purposes. All safety precautions were followed.

We appreciate our community’s support and understanding as we continue to train to better serve and protect you. 🚒

02/25/2026

On February 24, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire after receiving information that the kitchen of a residence was on fire. FC1 requested dispatch to notify North Forrest Volunteer Fire Department for mutual aid assistance.

Upon arrival, fire personnel conducted a size-up and reported visible flames coming through the roof of the structure. The fire originated in the kitchen area, quickly extended into the attic space, and spread rapidly, resulting in the entire attic becoming involved in fire.

Fire personnel worked diligently to bring the fire under control after it spread from the kitchen into the attic, preventing further extension of the structure. All fire units cleared the scene at 11:14 p.m.

Forrest County Chaplain 1 also responded to the scene to assist the occupants of the residence, ensuring they had a place to stay and offering help in finding accommodations if needed.

Investigator, Mario Weathersby, was dispatched to the scene to conduct an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.

RSVFD was dispatched back to the residence at approximately 5:30 a.m. the following morning due to hotspots that had rekindled. Fire personnel contained the hotspots and remained on scene monitoring the area until approximately 8:00 a.m.

We appreciate the support of North Forrest Volunteer Fire Department, Forrest County Fire Services, Forrest County Chaplain 1, CD1 Glen Moore, and Investigator, Mario Weathersby for their assistance during this incident.

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

🚒🎈 Happy Birthday to RS-8 Jonathan Thomas! Thank you for your service and your commitment to the Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Wishing you a day full of celebration and no emergency calls! 🎂🔥

02/23/2026

🚨 Early Morning Fire Response on Jackson Road 🚨

Around 5:00 a.m. this morning, the Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department responded to reports of an 18-wheeler trailer on fire on Jackson Road. Upon arrival, crews found the trailer engulfed in flames and positioned in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic in both directions.

The driver was able to safely unhook the cab from the trailer before the fire spread, which helped prevent further damage. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported.

Firefighters worked quickly to contain and extinguish the blaze while ensuring the safety of the surrounding area. Motorists were asked to avoid the area while crews remained on scene.

Also assisting at the scene were Forrest County Fire Services and the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office. We appreciate the teamwork and coordinated response of all agencies involved.

02/11/2026

**WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ABNORMALLY DRY CONDITIONS** Please exercise caution when conducting outside burning and have a contingency plan in place in the event of losing control of your fire. Forrest County Firefighters have responded to numerous grass and woods fires over the past week.