05/13/2026
Let me start with the fact that I am aware that our community supports our dept. and its efforts to serve and protect them daily as Volunteers (thats right not one person including the chief/board members get paid for responses, office work or anything fire dept related). That being said this post is for education purposes for those not so educated on how things work. Many in our community can attest to the fact when calling 911 someone is on scene within 5 min. Many have ask how thats possible. Its do the fact our dept has a command unit in which responds normally after the first tone drops. We cant ask that your emergency happen only when its convient for us.The command unit is equipped with medicals supplies and a AED, extrication equipment, extinguisher, saw, pike pole and many other tools for rapid response once on scene. This vehicle is driven by responding personnel(who pay for the fuel in it out of their own pocket even as a volunteer), so that when the tones drop no matter where they are, they drop everything and respond straight to scene (not to the dept or another location to get equipment and truck). No matter if they are at kroger buying a graduation card, at a graduation pinning ceremony or at a restraunt celebrating that graduation if the tones were to go off they would leave their family and respond to the call. This has been proven to save lives within our community and has saved property by allowing us to do a scene size up and request additional resources before first engine arrives. During the snow the command unit was even utilized to get people from their roads to the main roads where the ambulance awaited them when roads were impassable. When we respond on medical runs this truck normally is responding with a RN and numerous EMTs on board. Most do not realize this until they have an emergency. Anton Volunteer Fire Dept works hard each year to keep our equipment maintained and tested and upgrade equipment as we are able thru utilizing grants and fire dues. To remain compliant our gear is only to be utilized for 10 years and once out of date took out of service and replaced with new. Each set of gear for one firefighter cost around 5000.00 and thats not counting the SCBA they utilize to breath fresh air while fighting fires. Trucks, ladders, hoses, and SCBA require yearly testing. Our cascade requires quarterly testing. Anton Volunteer Fire Dept is proud of the progress we have made of the years and the bonds made with our community. We love to hear your stories of how we made a difference. Many have seen us out at community events as we pride ourselves in always being there when ask.. be that by church's, school's or even individuals. We would love to have you join us in volunteering to serve others! If you are not in our district I would love to put you in contact with the department nearest you. We also have a junior firefighter program that starts at age 15.
