First and foremost, thank you for visiting our website! For the past 44-years, Monrovia Volunteer Fire Department has advanced on all fronts. What has not changed is the nature of individuals who have chosen to serve. The members of this department are dedicated men and women that give so much to the Monrovia community and department by their untiring efforts and long hours of labor to ensure the safety of our community. I want to personally thank the members for your dedication to this department and the citizens we serve. Equally, I thank you for your assurance in me to lead this department forward into the bright future. It is my intention, as you’re Chief, to continue taking this department forward in a positive manner, ensuring that the residents of Monrovia and surrounding areas are provided with the highest quality of emergency services.
Monrovia Volunteer Fire/Rescue has evolved into what it is today because it is a service for people. What our community needs and wants from their fire department determines what we ultimately provide them. Granted, in the last few decades there have been more changes in our department, than at any other time in our history. But a brief review of our history reveals that the process of change has been there for a long time. We just have to search for the stepping stones and recognize that they are incremental steps of change. Our department contains a great deal of tradition. These traditions are often in conflict with the constant changes required in the fire service to keep up with the task of combating fire in a modern society. Being a firefighter today is much different from the past, but practically everything we do to save lives and property is rooted from the past. The history of our department helps our current leaders and personnel learn from the successes and failures of the past and unite us in a common tradition of serving those in need.
With 2009 in the record book, several noteworthy accomplishments and milestones have been met through the unwavering dedication of our members and the continued support and generosity of the Monrovia community. A brief overview of 2009 is as follows:
· Our call volume remains steady at over 1,300 calls annually. MVFR responded to 1,325 emergency calls in 2009. We respond to 112 calls per month, on average, over the last 36 months. Averaging 3.7 calls per day, Monrovia is one of the busiest volunteer fire departments in the state of Alabama.
· In addition to responding to emergency calls, Monrovia Fire/Rescue is committed to fire safety education/prevention to our most prized resource, the children of our community. Our personnel visit local schools and day care facilities to educate over 3,500 children about the dangers of and ways to prevent fires. In addition to learning about properly using the 911 emergency phone system and general fire safety, the children become familiar with assorted fire service equipment and apparatus. Educating the children of this community will always be a top priority of this department!
· With the generous economic support of our community and the good stewardship of our members, we decided to build an addition to our station #1. This addition will accommodate our growing membership with a larger training/meeting room, office space, firefighter lounge, computer room/library and additional parking area for departmental vehicles. This addition was much warranted and overdue. It's the goal of the membership to have the financial debt paid off within 5-years.
· To meet the growing needs of our department, new officers were appointed to fulfill the need for additional leadership. The newly appointed officers include 3 Captains and 3 Lieutenants. Phillip Rigsby, Travis Tidwell and Fred Lyon were chosen as Captains and Josh Shumate, Stuart Sharp and Kris West were chosen as Lieutenants. Thank you to each of you for willing to step up and lead us in the right direction.
· Our members experienced the loss of one of our own in 2009 due to a tragic vehicle accident. Drew Vaughn will be dearly missed, but his legacy will last forever. In memory of Drew, the membership voted to dedicate our new fitness facility in his name. The official dedication will take place on April 25, 2010. In a time that our member’s commitment could waiver, they stood tall and honored Drew and his dedication to this department and community by coming together as one. Thank you to all those who stood with us during the difficult times following his accident. The fire service is a true brotherhood!
· Being a firefighter is exciting and fulfilling. It's a job that not everyone can do. It's not a job that remains static over time. It is a constant challenging and stimulating environment where the past collides with future in the actions of those who serve today. A perfect example of the past colliding with the future, Deputy Chief Rowe Smith, a member for more than 40 years, responded to over 500 calls in 2009 and continues to set the standard each and every day. A perfect example of the future, Lt. Stuart Sharp, a member for less than 3-years, responded to over 580 calls in 2009. We are truly blessed with a great group of members!
I would like to again recognize the 60 plus individuals that I am proud to call fellow members as well as friends and family. These men and women are the heart and character of this department and as the result of their time and energy; we are able to provide the utmost quality emergency services to our community.
As I close, I would again like to say a very special “Thank you” to both the residents of this community and the members of this department. With the rock-solid commitment of these groups, this department has electrifying things to look forward to in the near future. The community fortitude and love for its welfare is what makes Monrovia an exceptional place to live and raise children. Thank you for your continued support to this department and I’m looking forward to the bright future. Pride, honor, integrity, and courage...the symbolism that ties our members, past and present, with a unique sense of belonging, perspective, unity and promise for the future!
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. Again, thank you, stay safe and God bless!
Best regards,
Shawn Terry
Chief/EMT