Grant City Fire Department to Hold Golf Tournament

The Grant City Fire Department will hold a day/night golf tournament on Saturday, August 29th. Nine holes will be played during daylight starting at 4:30 pm and the other nine will be played at night. It is open to the public. The Grant City Christian Church ladies will be providing a meal. Raffle tickets for some Milwaukee tools will be sold. Cost is $60 per team. No balls will be provided; bring your own. All proceeds will support the Grant City Fire Department.

 

Southern Boyz Outdoors to Help Grant City Fire Department Fundraiser

A fundraiser for the Grant City Fire Department will be held Saturday, May 3rd in front of the Firehouse between 6 pm and 8 pm.

Kinion Banks from Southern Boyz Outdoor will be cooking up a Louisiana dinner. Chicken and sausage, Jambalya, white beans, rolls, desserts, and water will be served. Proceeds will help with the Fire Department.

 

Corteva Donates Grain Bin Rescue Equipment to Blockton FD

On Monday, Corteva, a national ag company, donated a grain rescue tube, a grain auger, and training for members of the Blockton, Grant City, and Sheridan Fire Departments, which will be able to use the equipment if needed.

Farmers can be submerged in grain bins in 10-30 seconds, and it takes about three hours for emergency services to rescue someone trapped in grain bins. 2010 was a record year for grain bin accidents, and 2019 is projected to be close behind. The good news is that whereas previously, 90% of all people trapped in grain bins were killed, with improved awareness and training, over 70% make it out. However, many people killed in grain bin accidents are not the person who was trapped in the bin to start with, but personnel who were trying to rescue them. Out of all people who died in confined space such as grain bins, 60% were people who were trying to rescue someone else. Monday’s training was focused on safe ways to getting to the victim without becoming another victim.

People of all ages have been trapped in grain bins. People as young as one year old and as old as 86 have been killed in grain bin accidents. And people don’t have to be in grain bins in order to be trapped in grain. Dan Neenan of the National Education Center, who conducted Monday’s training, said he knew of one case where a kid was playing inside a grain trailer, the father dumped grain in it not knowing that his son was playing in it, and didn’t discover his mistake until that evening.

There are 3.4 million farms in the US, and there are over 500 deaths each year from farming accidents, including 72 in Iowa alone. Out of those, around 100 are kids; Neenan said there was one such accident in his community that killed four kids. Around 100 farm workers a day suffer some kind of farming-related injury that requires time off of work according to the CDC.

Grain bins are particularly dangerous because they are hotter than outside, there is frequently a lack of oxygen, there are many ways to get trapped, and grain can pull you to your knees in seconds. Frequently, there is no way to contact the outside world from a grain bin, meaning it might be hours before someone finds you. Sometimes, grain may be stuck on the side of bins, only to trigger an avalanche when disturbed.

A 165 pound person who is trapped up to their waist needs 325 pounds of force to pull them out. Someone trapped up to their neck requires 625 pounds of force. And someone who is completely submerged requires 800 pounds of force.

When someone is finally rescued, it doesn’t always mean they are out of the woods. Crush injuries such as swelling, pain, shock, compartment syndrome, and loss of function can occur 15 to 60 minutes after being rescued from a grain bin accident. It is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if one is feeling OK at the moment.

After a dinner at the Blockton Community Building Monday, firemen simulated two rescues of victims trapped in corn, and learned how to use their new rescue tube and auger to relieve pressure on victims and allow them to escape. They also learned how to cut open a grain bin as well.

Blockton was one of only 20 fire departments across the country to get the rescue tubes and grain auger. There have already been 19 successful rescues with the new equipment. Worth County MFA donated the corn that was used in the exercise.

Hunter Found After Search and Rescue Operation at Seat Farm

Conservation Agents responded to the Seat Conservation Area on Friday October 20th to help search for a lost/past due hunter. He was found shortly after Conservation Agents and other emergencies services arrived. The 67 year old hunter had lost his flashlight on the way to his blind and got disoriented. When he didn’t come back to camp after the morning hunt his four hunting companions began a search. After hours of searching and dark only 3 hours away they contacted emergencies services for help.

The hunter had nothing to eat and little to drink all day. Other than being dehydrated and exhausted he was ok and glad to get back to camp. Other agencies that helped with the search was the Grant City Fire and EMS, Highway Patrol, and Worth County Sheriffs’ Dept.

People going hunting, hiking, and other similar outdoor activities are encouraged to have a detailed plan that is shared with others to help in situations like this one. Other things that can help are cell phones, satellite GPS devices, compasses, maps, extra food/water, etc.

To report conservation violations, you can contact Missouri Conservation Agents directly (numbers on MDC website) or by calling the county or state dispatch center. You can also call the OGT (Operation Game Thief) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-392-1111, you can remain anonymous and rewards are possible.a landowner who was able to obtain a vehicle description and license information leading Conservation Agent Wood to a suspect. MDC Agent Wood discovered during his investigation that the suspect had recently shot a large velvet antlered buck. The investigation also uncovered multiple suspects involved, as well as four additional bucks and one doe being recently poached. Additionally, the investigation uncovered that virtually all the meat from these animals was left to waste. This case is still under investigation. Conservation Agents rely heavily on public cooperation to aide in the enforcement of the Wildlife Code of Missouria landowner who was able to obtain a vehicle description and license information leading Conservation Agent Wood to a suspect. MDC Agent Wood discovered during his investigation that the suspect had recently shot a large velvet antlered buck. The investigation also uncovered multiple suspects involved, as well as four additional bucks and one doe being recently poached. Additionally, the investigation uncovered that virtually all the meat from these animals was left to waste. This case is still under investigation. Conservation Agents rely heavily on public cooperation to aide in the enforcement of the Wildlife Code of Missouri

Fire Destroys Home on West End of Sheridan

On the morning of Wednesday, July 4th, fire units were called to the home of Robert Morrow on the west end of Sheridan at around 1 am. More fire trucks came to the scene at around 2 am and remained until 4 am.

However, the fire flared up again in the morning and Sheridan and Grant City units came out and battled the blaze until about 1 pm. They succeeded in getting the fire extinguished. The house was too far gone to be salvageable, and the rest of the structure was brought down in a controlled burn Sunday.

Sheridan Fire Chief Tyler Paxson said, "I'm very proud of the guys on our department; they do good work with what equipment we have. We are able to get done what needs to be done with half the workforce of people it should take. That being said, we are always looking for volunteers. Also, a big thanks for our big brother next door, the Worth County Fire Protection District out of Grant City; if it weren't for them we would have exhausted our little workforce. Thanks to anyone who helped in anyway!”

Grass Fire Strikes Southeast of Sheridan

A grass fire struck southeast of Sheridan Saturday afternoon at around 3 pm east of Vern Mitchell’s home at 170th & Colt. The Parnell Fire Department initially responded to the call, which was in their district. Later, further calls came into 911 and Sheridan and Grant City units responded. Fireman Justin Rush said the Sheridan Fire Department had been supervising controlled burns all morning since 9:00 and had supervised about 250 acres worth when they got the call. The Parnell crew said they were glad Sheridan arrived when they did, because they were nearly out of water. Between 3:30 and 4, the blaze, aided by a stiff south wind and a warm day, jumped 170th road and burned a small area north of the road before being contained. Area landowners were scrambling to move hay out of the area in case the fire spread. The breeze died down later in the day and the extra manpower allowed the blaze to be contained by 4:30.

Second Sheridan Home Destroyed by Fire

A second home in Sheridan has been destroyed by fire in a week. At Saturday night/Sunday morning at around 3 am, Bob Belcher "California Bob" and Gladys Rowe were awakened by their dog barking. Belcher said that he initially thought that his dog simply wanted out, but that he discovered the blaze. He then woke Gladys up and they got out of the house. The Sheridan Fire Department responded within 20 minutes, but by then, it was already too late. The Fire Department elected to put the blaze out instead of letting it burn the house down to the ground so that it would not catch the trees on fire and spread to other houses. The house was the former Betty Dokken residence, where she had lived for many years. It was on the southeast corner of town.

Bob and Gladys credited their dog, Dudley, with saving their lives. "We never would have been alive without him," they said. Bob said that Dudley had been savagely kicked by someone just the week before and that and he had just had surgery at the vet. "The vet didn't think he was going to make it," he said. "I'm not a religious person, but he was kept alive for a reason." Bob said that he believes that the fire was caused by a space heater in the bathroom.

The blaze was so hot that it melted metal and the fire department had a difficult time opening the attic so that they could put it out. The Grant City Fire Department came to assist the Sheridan Fire Department. After the fire crews left, the blaze was so hot that it reignited twice; however, Brad Pickering came by both times to put it out again. As late as Sunday night, the smoke from the blaze could be smelled from across town. It could still be smelled as late as Monday morning.

Bob and Gladys received help from the area Red Cross and are staying at a hotel in Maryville for two nights. They were also given cash so that they could buy clothes and other supplies. They plan to buy a camper and stay in it for the winter where the house was, and then rebuild. They said that people were really good to them after the blaze. Bob said that Victoria Rush, who herself had lost a house to a fire, went out of her way to help show them what they needed to do. Kim Welch came by their hotel room in Maryville with some food; Bob said that she was very helpful as well. The Sheridan CBC will put together a fundraiser at a later date to help Bob and Gladys get back on their feet again.

Fire Destroys Bob & Treasa Staton Residence

A fire in Grant City destroyed the Bob and Teresa Staton residence Tuesday afternoon. Sheridan fire units were called to the scene at around 12:00 that day for backup. The Sheridan and Grant City Fire Departments, the Worth County Ambulance, and the Worth County Sheriff's Office responded and cordoned off traffic from the residence at 4th and Briggs.

Nobody was injured in the blaze and everyone was able to make it out. Fire units were unable to save the residence; the fire spread too fast. The fire units were focused on containing the blaze and making sure it did not spread to the garage or nearby trees or houses. Someone came with a Bobcat to cut a path so their vehicles could be moved out.

People interested in donating goods so the Statons can get back on their feet can leave them in the basement of the Grant City Christian Church, across the street from the Grant City Fire Department. The basement door will be open. The Statons received several different offers of shelter following the blaze. The home was insured. Grant City Fire Chief Ben Fletcher said that the cause is still under investigation.

Sheridan Christian Church took up an offering for the Statons following their Christmas Eve service.

Fire Destroys Former Carol Chicken Residence Between Sheridan and Grant City

High winds led to a trash fire burning out of control and destroying the former Carol Chicken residence between Sheridan and Grant City early Wednesday afternoon. At 11:51 Wednesday, the Grant City Fire Department was dispatched to the structure fire 4 miles west of Grant City. First units were enroute at 11:57 and on the scene at 12:03 p.m. The fire was controlled at 1:15 and all units were back in service at 2:29 p.m. They were assisted by the Sheridan Fire Department, the Worth County Ambulance District, and the Worth County Sheriff's Department. The Worth County Fire Auxiliary provided water and food for the firefighters.

Fire Chief Ben Fletcher said that the fire spread from a trash fire to a tree to a shed to the structure. Nobody was living at the house and there were no injuries.

Grant City Fire Department Puts Out Grass Fire, Completes Extrication Training

The Grant City Fire Department put out a grass fire west of Grant City Thursday afternoon. Fire units were aclled at 4:12 pm with first units dispatched at 4:15. Units arrived at 4:20 and the scene was controlled at 4:24.

The fire department also underwent extrication training on Saturday, April 20th. They were assisted by the Jackson Township Fire District. The Worth County Fire Auxiliary provided sandwiches and refreshments during the training. "We have come a long way with equipment and facilities, but as always, it is the people who make the difference and we have some great ones," said Fire Chief Ben Fletcher on Facebook. "Very proud of our firefighters and the effort they have put into improving our department as well as the great working relationships we have built with our surrounding fire and ems organizations."

Grant City Fire Department Gets $46,000 for Equipment

The Grant City Fire Department was awarded $46,000 to purchase new equipment for the department. They will use the money to purchase a breathing air compressor, a fill station, and a cascade system. The fire department has been very busy this spring, getting called out to 3-4 fires a week around Worth County.

Grant City Battles Isadora Brush Fire and Three Other Blazes

Sheridan and Grant City fire units were called to battle a brush fire near Isadora Sunday. Fire units were dispatched during the hot, humid afternoon. This was one of three brush fires in the Worth County area this past week.

On Thursday, April 4th, Grant City units were dispatched to a wildland fire five miles north of Grant City. Fire units were on the scene at 2:58 p.m. and the fire was controlled at 3:11. All units were back in service at 3:24.

On Wednesday, fire units were dispatched to a wildland fire south of Grant City. Units were on the scene at 4:06 and all units were back in service by 4:40 p.m.

At 6:18 p.m. Tuesday evening, Grant City units were dispatched to a wildland fire east of Oxford. All units were back in service at 6:59 p.m.

Two Fires in Worth County Put Out

On Thursday night, Grant City and Sheridan fire units were dispatched to Oxford to put out a grass fire there at around 6:03 p.m. The fire was controlled by 6:20 and all units were back in service by 6:36. That fire made them late to the storm spotter training held in Sheridan that evening.

At 8:01 p.m. Friday, the Worth County Fire Department was dispatched to a wildland fire south of Grant City. Backburns were lit to protect exposures and regain control of the fireline. All units were back in service at 8:52 p.m.

The Grant City and Sheridan Fire Departments request that all people planning to burn CRP ground or planning a controlled burn to notify the local fire department to prevent unnecessary dispatches.

Fire Breaks Out Northeast of Allendale

A fire broke out northeast of Allendale on land owned by Ronnie Wilkinson Thursday at around 3:10 p.m. A trash fire got out of control and got away that afternoon. However, Grant City Fire units arrived and were able to stop it from getting into a nearby timber.

Worth Treatin' Attracts 45 Booths

The second annual Worth Treatin' celebration was held Sunday, sponsored by the Grant City CBC and the Grant City Fire Department. Over 200 people went to the Pool Park and got treats from area organizations and businesses and many then went to the new Firehouse and ate dinner for a fundraiser for the Grant City Fire Department.

Among the businesses and organizations who participated were The Learning Academy, Kobbe Feed Seed & Auction, Sheridan Christian Church, the County of Worth, Grant City Golf Club, Snakebite, Great Western Bank, Monticue Construction, Kobbe Lawn Care, Dollar General, Rural Missouri Insurance, Worth County PTO, Worth County Dance Team, Worth County Cheerleaders, White Pony Ranch (Dave and Jozy Moyer), Grant City Auto, Grant City Skating Rink, Sherri's Pharmacy, Worth Smokin' BBQ, Northwest Medical Center, Life in Moments Photography, Drifters Trucking, Hart's Drive-In, Sheridan Grocery & Cafe, Worth County Farm Bureau, Worth County Fire Auxiliary, Janet Wake Larison, Davidson Construction, Casey's, Sheridan Fire Department, Grant City Fire Department, Worth County Lumber, Groom Taxidermy, Worth County Convalescent Center, Flowers N' Things, Hy-Vee, Parman Farms (Pete & Diane Parman), Medicine Hat, Campbell Construction, Worth County FCCLA, Susie's Noodles, Oldtowne Cafe, Grant City CBC, and the Grant City Baptist Church.

Anhydrous Ammonia Disaster Exercise Held in Sheridan

An anhydrous ammonia disaster exercise was held in Sheridan Saturday morning to train emergency crews on what to do in the event that an accident happens involving anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is very dangerous material and in the worst case, people have to be evacuated upwind from the source in the event of a major leak. Sterling Hopkins, manager of Worth County MFA, said that the first step in an ammonia accident was to call him immediately so that he could notify corporate headquarters as well as have properly trained people to work with emergency crews. Ammonia in sufficient concentrations can overpower a person in as little as 20 seconds; during the training session, a video was shown of a responding officer who didn't realize the danger of ammonia and who was killed responding to an accident in 20 seconds. Ammonia is used as fertilizer for crops; however, it must be handled carefully by properly trained personnel.

Excess pressure can result in tank failure, which means that tank volume cannot exceed 85%. It is inflammatory to skin and it is dangerous to life and health in as little as 300 parts per million. Contact lenses can make it worse because they can trap the vapor; it is inflammatory to the eyes. In an ammonia accident, the emergency response is complicated because the victims must be placed in a tank of water to flush the anhydrous ammonia and minimize the effects. Dangerous concentrations of anhydrous ammonia can extend well beyond the visible vapors and it can easily be mistaken for ordinary smoke from a fire. Releases of more than 100 pounds must be reported to state and national authorities.

In the simulated accident, a car collided with an anhydrous ammonia tank resulting in two fatalities and people being thrown from the vehicle and ammonia leaking from the tank. The new Emergency Command Center that the county has was deployed in response. Another complication in dealing with anhydrous ammonia accidents is the fact that it takes 100 gallons of water for each gallon of ammonia to be contained. Therefore, fire departments must consider alternative water sources when dealing with ammonia releases. Vehicles must be placed upwind of the ammonia, runoff water must be controlled, and contaminated water must be disposed of.

For smaller releases, emergency authorities can have people stay in homes with windows closed. However, large incidents require immediate evacuations and appropriate roads closed off so that passing motorists are not exposed. Specialized protective gear must be worn and downwind operations should not be considered unless absolutely necessary. Even if anhydrous ammonia does not release right away in an accident, it can do so later.

The exercise itself involved donning protective equipment and treating a "victim" with a broken leg. Treatment requires washing the victim's eyes for 15 minutes if the eyes were exposed. The first priority is to get victims out as soon as possible, and then deal with the anhydrous leak. The Worth County Ambulance completed training requirements for many of its members back at the firehouse, where four more "victims" were. Mary Jo Riley role-played the part of a hysterical relative frantically trying to get information about one of the victims. The Sheridan CBC hosted a lunch for the volunteers afterwards. One of the biggest areas identified was the fact that two of the radios did not work on the appropriate frequency, something that Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe said she was glad to discover during a drill and not during the real thing.

Worth Treatin' October 28th

Worth Treatin' will once again be held this year at the Grant City Pool Park on the trail October 28th. It will be held from 4-6 p.m.; in the event of rain, it will be moved to the Skating Rink. Admission is $1 per person; proceeds will go to the Grant City CBC. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.
There will also be a soup and chili supper from 4-7 that day at the new Worth County Firehouse on High Street just south of the basketball court. Cost will be a free will donation and proceeds will go to the Worth County Fire Department. There will be kids fire truck rides leaving from the Firehouse between 5 and 6.
If you are a business or organization and would like to have a booth at this year's Worth Treatin' event, call Tiffany Troutwine at (660) 254-4095. This year's event is sponsored by the Worth County Fire Department and the Grant City CBC.

Worth Treatin' October 28th

Worth Treatin' will once again be held this year at the Grant City Pool Park on the trail. It will be held from 4-6 p.m.; in the event of rain, it will be moved to the Skating Rink. Admission is $1 per person; proceeds will go to the Grant City CBC. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

There will also be a soup and chili supper from 4-7 that day at the new Worth County Firehouse on High Street just south of the basketball court. Cost will be a free will donation and proceeds will go to the Worth County Fire Department. There will be kids fire truck rides leaving from the Firehouse between 5 and 6.

If you are a business or organization and would like to have a booth at this year's Worth Treatin' event, call Tiffany Troutwine at (660) 254-4095. This year's event is sponsored by the Worth County Fire Department and the Grant City CBC.

USDA Holds Grant Ceremonies for WCCC, Fire Department

The USDA held grant ceremonies for the WCCC and the Grant City Fire Department Thursday morning. The Fire Department was awarded money for the new firehouse on 408 South High Street in Grant City, south of the basketball courts, where the old City Hall/School building used to be. The WCCC was awarded around $13,000 for putting in a new energy efficient boiler that replaced the aging system that had been put in when the facility was first built around 1970.

Timber Fire East of Grant City

After a week of unseaonably cool weather, the hot weather and the fires returned. Sheridan and Grant City fire units responded to a timber fire east of Grant City, one pasture east of the Chris Spainhower pasture around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. The fire was difficult to get to because of the rough terrain and heavy brush. There were around three to four small brush fires burning. The Worth County Sheriff's Department directed traffic on 46 during the fire. The fire was under control by 6 p.m., but it continued to smolder. The cause of the fire was unknown.