Willow Springs Fire Department

05/29/2026

⚠️ WEATHER ALERT: Drive with Caution & Watch for Flooded Roads! ⚠️With the recent heavy rain, there is standing water and localized flooding on several roads in and around Howell County. Please be extremely careful and remember these essential safety tips:🚗 Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways or standing water. Looks can be deceiving: Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and only 1 foot can sweep away a car.
🛑 Hidden dangers: The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you cannot see deep potholes or debris.
🗺️ Check before you drive: Always check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map for the latest Missouri road closures and detours before heading out. If you come across a flooded road, please turn around and find an alternate route. Keep an eye out for your neighbors, and let’s all stay safe out there!

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Their courage will never be forgotten. We are grateful for those who gave everything to protect the freedoms we enjoy each day.

As we spend time with family and friends this Memorial Day, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the day and remember those who never made it home.

Have a safe Memorial Day from all of us at the Willow Springs Fire Department!

05/22/2026

🚒 **HAPPY NATIONAL EMS WEEK!** 🚑
This week, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible individuals who answer the call alongside us every single day. In our line of work, teamwork isn’t just important—it’s everything. We are incredibly privileged to work side-by-side with some of the absolute best in the business.
First and foremost, a massive shoutout to our daily, frontline partners:
⭐ **Willow Springs Ambulance District** ⭐
You are out there with us day in and day out, handling the heat and taking care of our community with unmatched professionalism and heart. Thank you for being the reliable backbone of our local emergency response!
We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our vital mutual aid and flight partners who always have our backs when the call goes out:
🔹 **Mercy EMS**
🔹 **TCMH EMS**
🔹 **South Howell County Ambulance District**
🔹 **Air Evac Life Team**
🔹 **Survival Flight**
Whether on the ground or in the air, your dedication, skill, and quick response save lives and keep our community safe. We appreciate absolutely everything you do.
To all the paramedics, EMTs, EMD dispatchers, and flight crews: Thank you for your sacrifice, your expertise, and your unwavering commitment.
**Thank you from all of us at Willow Fire!** 🤝🚒❤️

05/14/2026

Most people assume community fire protection and rescue response comes from full-time, paid crews—but across the United States, the backbone of emergency response is the volunteer fire service. According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly two-thirds of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers. That means when a call comes in—house fire, car crash, medical emergency, lift assist, yes even “a cat in tree”—it’s often your neighbor leaving dinner, work, or sleep to respond.

That reality says something deeper about community. Volunteer fire departments aren’t just about putting out fires; they’re about shared responsibility. They exist because people choose to step forward and say, “If something happens here, I’ll be part of the solution.” In rural and small-town, without volunteers, there would not be anyone available so you would wait for nearest town to respond.

I believe that being involved in your community—whether through the fire department, EMS, support roles, or in political leadership—builds resilience that government programs alone simply can't replicate (or, often even afford). It creates trust, accountability, and a sense that people are not alone when things go wrong. I've been with people experiencing their worst day, and that matters. It's good to know that you're not just protected by a system; you’re protected by people who know you, live near you, and care about the outcome.

Volunteer fire departments remind us that community isn’t an abstract idea—it’s action. It’s showing up when it matters most. I have an enormous amount of respect for the men and women who serve in volunteer fire departments, Volunteer's don't always have the time, but they have "the heart" and “the passion".

05/07/2026

🚨 Hannah Harper Day! 🚨
What an incredible day for Willow Springs! The Hannah Harper Day Concert and Parade was a massive success, but an event of this scale doesn't just "happen"—it takes a literal village.
To give you an idea of the scale, we had multiple agencies and hundreds of personnel and volunteers working behind the scenes. While you were enjoying the music and the parade, there was a seamless safety net stretching across the entire city to ensure everyone stayed safe.
We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who stepped up:
👨‍🚒 Fire & Rescue Support:
To my team at the Willow Springs Fire Dept, I couldn't be prouder our team . A special thank you to West Plains Fire Dept for covering our city calls and Eleven Point Fire for standing guard over the Rural District so we could focus on the event. As the city still runs like normal and we have to be ready to respond! Thanks also to Pomona Fire for being on standby and the Missouri Region G Task Force for providing the essential equipment that kept things running smoothly.
🚑 Medical & Emergency Ops:
The Willow Springs Ambulance District was out in force with 3 fully staffed units ready to go. Behind the scenes, Howell County 911, Howell County EMD, and our Region G SEMA Coordinator kept the lines of communication crystal clear. We also want to thank the National Weather Service of Springfield for keeping a constant eye on the skies for us!
👮‍♂️ Law Enforcement Partners:
Keeping the peace and the traffic moving was a true team effort between Willow Springs PD, West Plains PD, Howell County Sheriff’s Dept, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Community & City Strength:
Every single Willow Springs City Crew (Water, Sewer, Wastewater, Electric, Parks, and Admin) worked tirelessly to get the town ready. Huge thanks to the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce, Willow Springs School District, and the Willow Springs FFA for your energy and logistics.
🌟 The Heart of the Event:
To our local businesses, event sponsors, and the countless volunteers—your generosity is what makes Willow Springs the best place to live.
We are so proud to provide safety and security for our community. It was an honor to watch everyone come together for such a special event.
🗳️ NOW, LET’S FINISH STRONG!
Let’s keep this momentum going! Get out there this Monday and VOTE so Hannah can bring home that top spot! 🎶🏆
From all of us at the Willow Springs Fire Department, THANK YOU!

05/03/2026

04/29/2026

This week is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters in preparation for this year’s Memorial Weekend. This serves is a symbol of support and remembrance. From April 26 to May 3, 2026, fire houses and other buildings across the nation are lighted red in honor of firefighter heroes who paid the ultimate price for their service.

This weekend, during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, May 2-3, in Emmitsburg, MD, the following Missouri firefighters who recently paid the ultimate price for their service will be honored. We honor their courageous service to their Missouri communities and the legacy they have established for those who continue to serve today and far into the future.

• William Nix, Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department

• Christopher Clevenger, West Central FPD of Saline and Pettis Counties

• Vernon Collett, Johnson County Fire Protection District

• Donald Kammerich, Pilot Grove Fire Protection District

• Graham Hoffman, Kansas City Fire Department

• Matthew Shafer, Lawson Fire & Rescue Protection District

• Larry Harlan, Jonesburg-High Hill Fire Protection District

• Marcus Maggard, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department

• Lee Kraus, St. Louis Fire Department

• Larry Duncan, Missouri Task Force 1

We encourage to show your support and light your house red in Honor of all the fallen firefighters.
Below are a few photos i captured when i had the privilege to visit this special place in Emmitsburg Maryland!
Learn more about the Memorial Weekend here and watch the live stream of the events that take place!
https://weekend.firehero.org/

04/29/2026

**The calm after the storm. 🌤️🙏**
Looking at the sky this evening, it’s hard to believe how intense things were just a few hours ago. We are feeling incredibly lucky here in **Willow Springs**—we were largely spared from the heavy-hitting stuff, but as you can see from this graphic, the storm was relentless.
The track shows just how long this system produced giant, destructive hail starting back in Springfield and carving a path way out to our east. It’s heartbreaking to see the reports coming in from areas nearby that weren't as fortunate. Seeing the size of what was falling just a few miles away makes you realize how quickly things can change.
Our thoughts are with our neighbors who are dealing with damage tonight. Hug your loved ones tight and let's all hope for a much quieter, boring week of weather ahead!
Stay safe, everyone. ❤️⛈️

04/28/2026

*****Outdated *****
National Weather Service has issued a severe Thunderstorm warning for Howell county. Large hail up to 2 inches and winds up to 70 MPH

04/28/2026

Once again today some rain and just past AVA it has a hail core if it continues on it's path and strength it could impact Willow We will keep an eye on it,