South Jenkins District VI Volunteer Fire Department update

Members of South Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department are shown during a "work day" held Saturday, Sept. 8, at the new station located on West Old Savannah Road. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Organizational efforts for South Jenkins District VI Volunteer Fire Department, located on West Old Savannah Road, began in December 2006.

"Tim Clark and myself decided to place an ad in The Millen News seeking interest in establishing a volunteer fire department in our community," said David Barron. "We set a time and date for Jan. 28 at my shop. Seventeen individuals attended our first meeting. Danny Bennett, Raburn Johnson, Horace Weathersby and Tim Clark spoke with our group that night on the requirements and steps we needed to accomplish our fire department and get it started." A follow-up meeting was later held at Rosemary Baptist Church with Dwayne Herrington and Donnie Brannen speaking to the group about requirements and regulations that must be met for the unit to become certified.

Fundraising efforts included collecting scrap iron.

"That was a God-sent inspiration that poured out blessings only He could provide," said Barron. "We began receiving all types of used junked-out farm equipment. Some had to be removed out of the woods with chain saws because it had been there so long. We hauled combines, peanut pickers, hay balers, plows, implements, street sweeper, milk truck and cars."

The unit is also collecting drink cans at the fire department location and at the Old Eighty river landing where wire baskets have been placed as containers for deposits.

"We would like to let our community know that we have a building erected on our lot at this time, and we have been given two fire trucks and are receiving equipment from other fire departments," Barron added.

"We invite any of our neighbors to stop by and visit with us. Our department deeply appreciates all the donations and help we have received to make this fire department possible," he said.