One of the biggest changes the Fire Department has seen is personnel changes. There have been many men and women serving at the Fire Department since 1880. Without the volunteer firefighters, the Department would not be where it is today. The Fire Department has mainly consisted up of volunteers. We have had a few part-time personnel and personnel from other departments in dual roles. In 2006, the city decided to take the next step and start staffing the Fire Department with full-time personnel. In November 2008, the city hired its fifth full-time firefighter. The Fire Chief handles the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department. The three Captains work 24-hour shifts and run the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief. Also, 3 Full-time firefighters work each shift to put us at 2 persons on shift. With this structure, the Fire Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with additional staffing Monday through Friday, during business hours. This is the time when volunteer firefighters are least available. The full-time staff not only guarantees that there will be someone available to respond to emergencies, but the response time will also be improved. We also have part-time firefighters to help with additional manning. This also allows the Department to keep up with safety inspections of business, public relation events, safety programs at the schools and other community services.
In closing, we would like to remind everyone that the Staff at the De Soto Fire Department will schedule safety talks for your group or organization. With help from Wal-Mart, we still sponsor the smoke detector program, which provides and installs smoke detectors to anyone in need, free of charge. Since the start of this program, the number of residential fires is almost half of what we used to see in the city. To request a smoke detector or to schedule an event, contact the Fire Department at (636)586-3888.
As the new Chief, I assure our residents this department is moving forward to give you the best service. You are more than welcome to come visit us as we start to do more Public Relations events with our citizens. I am proud of our department, and I will enjoy watching it grow.
Again, please feel free to stop in and see us, our doors are open.
“So others may live…”
Fire Chief Tony Ochoa
US Retired Air Force
De Soto City Fire Department
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