By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Fire Department’s volunteer force has lost another veteran firefighter.
Jim Barker (black helmet in photo), a 30-year firefighter, retired after Nov. 30, Fire Chief Jeff Sheets said at the latest meeting of the city’s board of works and safety.
Earlier in November, Tim Ulman stepped down from the force after 25 years.
“These guys are the heart and soul of the department ,” Mayor Dan Rickord said of the volunteers who are known as paid on-call staff. “They work hard, they put their lives at risk walking into a fire. We are lucky to have them.
“And we appreciate their employers allowing them the time (to leave for a fire).”
Anyone interested in becoming a paid on-call firefighter should contact Sheets.
LOOKING AHEAD: The chief asked for and received board permission to begin putting together specifications for a new pumper truck.
The current one, a 1997 model, is experiencing problems, Sheets said. “So I just want to have the specs ready to go (when there is a need),” he pointed out.
Following a bid notice, it would be two or three years before a truck could be built and delivered to Decatur, he advised.