Department News - Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department

Contact:  Ashley McDonald, MFRD Public Information Officer, (615) 893-1422

Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
May 22, 2013, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

  See this flyer for all the details.

Tuesday Afternoon Car Fire

  Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s District 9 responded to a car fire close to Scales Elementary School around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, May 8, 2013..
  Upon arrival, the crew discovered a 1998 Audi A6 engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished within five minutes of the crew’s arrival.
The owner was just about to turn in to the school when he noticed smoke coming from the dash. He was able to exit and get a safe distance from the vehicle to wait for MFRD. No injuries were associated with this incident.
  According to Captain/Shift Inspector Randy Rae, the fire appeared to have started in the dash area and was most likely due to an electrical issue.

Pictures Courtesy of Scott Walker with WGNS Radio

MFRD’s New Fire Prevention Truck to Debut at Jazzfest

  While you’re listening to the smooth tunes at Jazzfest this Saturday, make sure to check out Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s new Fire Prevention Truck.
  Wrapped with donations from the department’s Fire Prevention Donation Fund, the new truck will be present at several special events throughout the city each year.
  The truck will be used to promote public safety messages and various free services MFRD offers such as Project SAFE (Smoke Alarms for Everyone), Fire Extinguisher Training, etc.
  “We hope this new PR tool will add to our education efforts, as we are always looking for more inventive ways to spread the message,” said Chief Cumbey Gaines. See the new Fire Prevention Truck.

MFRD Honor Guard Named Repeat National Champions at FDIC

  Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s Honor Guard placed first for the second year in a row in the National Honor Guard Competition at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana Friday afternoon.
  The team, competing against eight other teams from across the nation, participated in details such as Full Dress Inspection, Posting of the Colors, Casket Watch (posting guard at a casket), and Flag-Folding. “I was able to watch most of the event and our team had some stiff competition this year; they really had their work cut out for them,” said MFRD Shift Commander Dale Maynard, who acts as Honor Guard Liaison for the department.
  Team members were: Captain/Shift Inspectors Nora Smith, Wade Williams, and Thomas McAdoo, Captains Jeff Irvin, Gary Hutchinson, and Mike Adams, Driver Randy Shaw, and Firefighters Greg Burt and Charles Powell. 
  Read more about our award winning Honor Guard . . .

MFRD Responds to County Fire

  MFRD's District 9 responded for mutual aid to a house fire at 4742 Franklin Road in Rutherford County around 1:45 Sunday afternoon, April 21.
  According to Acting Shift Commander Raymond Smith, Ladder 9 was first on the scene and began a defensive fire attack. The county arrived soon after.  No one was injured in the incident. However, the home is believed to be a total loss.
  All inquiries should be made to Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Chris Clark. He may be contacted at 615-496-7570.

MFRD Responds to House Fire at 459 Jackson St.

   Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s Districts 1 and 8 and Engine 4 responded to a house fire at 459 Jackson Street around 10:15 Thursday night (April 18).
  Crews from District 1 quickly extinguished the fire. The home, which is comprised of five units, suffered moderate fire damage. A total of two families were displaced, but were assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were associated with this incident.
  Assistant Fire Marshal Tracy Summar was called to conduct a routine investigation. Summar stated, “At this time the fire is still under investigation. Fire crews did a fantastic job stopping the fire before it progressed or engulfed the entire dwelling.”
  More information will be released when available.

Assistant Chief Honeycutt Retires After Years of Service

  Assistant Chief Ken Honeycutt announced his plans to retire effective July 12, 2013 after 34 years of service with Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department.
  Honeycutt began his career with the department in October 1979 as a Firefighter. In August 1982, he was promoted to Driver and was promoted to Inspector in August 1986. He was promoted to Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal in October 1988. 
  Honeycutt served four years in the United States Air Force branch of the military (1968-1972) and served in the Vietnam conflict. He is also a Middle Tennessee State University graduate (1976).
  He has received several certifications from the State of Tennessee over the years including: Firefighter I and II, Fire Apparatus Operator, Instructor I, Officer I and II, Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I and II, and Fire Safely Compliance Officer I and II. He is certified through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the State of Tennessee as a Fire Inspector and is also a Medical First Responder.
  Chief Cumbey Gaines expressed his appreciation of Honeycutt's service. “We truly appreciate Ken and all his years of hard work and dedication to this department. We wish him well in all his future endeavors. He will be missed.”  
  More about Assistant Chief Honeycutt . . .

MFRD to Participate in Emergency Response to Aircraft/Airfield Incidents

 More than 20 Firefighters from Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department will participate in an Emergency Response to Aircraft/Airfield Incident course at Smyrna and Murfreesboro Airports April 10. Here are the details.

Firehouse Subs and MFRD Present the Department's New Polaris Ranger

  On March 27, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, the local Firehouse Subs restaurant, and Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department, presented MFRD’s newest asset: a Polaris Ranger and skid unit donated by the foundation in January 2013 (click the thumbnail image below for a larger view of the new unit).
  Personnel from MFRD, the Chamber of Commerce, City Manager Rob Lyons, Assistant City Manager Jim Crumley, Councilmember Eddie Smotherman, local Firehouse Subs owners Mark and Laura Watson, and many others attended.
   Deputy Chief Roger Toombs thanked Firehouse Subs on behalf of the department stating, “The addition of the Polaris Ranger and skid unit will greatly increase our rescue capabilities. We will now be able to respond to locations not accessible by fire apparatus. We will be able to attend many events throughout the City and reach patients more quickly if a medical situation arises. This will be a great asset to our Special Operations and Special Events Team, improving not only our response, but also our public relations. Our ultimate goal is the safety of the citizens of Murfreesboro.”
  Captain/Shift Inspector Jeff Day also commented on the benefits of the Polaris. He made mention of the 12 miles of Greenway that were not quickly accessible prior to obtaining the Polaris.
  “The department is very fortunate to have formed a good relationship with the Public Safety Foundation and the local Firehouse Subs restaurant,” said Toombs. “We were very pleased to accept this wonderful donation.”
  In addition to the Polaris presentation, MFRD was also able to witness the ribbon cutting of the restaurant, located at 2018 Medical Center Parkway. Attendees were also treated to a few snacks and got the chance to see all the memorabilia and pictures that were provided by MFRD that are now on display throughout the restaurant.
  The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety entities. Through the non-profit 501 (c)(3), Firehouse Subs has given $5.7 million to hometown heroes in 36 states and Puerto Rico, including more than $330,140 in Tennessee.

MFRD Rescue 9 Involved in MVA on I-24

  Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s District 2 and District 9 were dispatched to a grass fire on I-24 around 5:30 Wednesday afternoon.
  While headed east bound, just before Exit 81 (Shelbyville), Rescue 9 and a tractor trailer truck were involved in a motor vehicle accident.
  The two firefighters in Rescue 9 were transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
  The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Murfreesboro Police Department, and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department responded to the incident. THP is conducting the investigation at this time. For further information, please contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol office.

Legislature Day at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy

  Several legislators loaded a bus and traveled down to the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy in Deason on Wednesday to gain insight into what the fire service provides to the State of Tennessee. Read more about the trip and view photographs.

MFRD Child Safety Seat Inspections a Success

  Despite a small turnout, believed to be caused by the possibility of inclement weather, Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department officials say the Child Safety Seat inspections at Fire Station 2 at 2880 Runnymeade Drive on Thursday were a success.
  Twenty five MFRD personnel, along with a few employees from Murfreesboro Police Department and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office are now certified Child Safety Seat Technicians. Here is a photograph of that class.
  This inspection station was the final requirement for the students’ 32-hour class. 
  Assistant Fire Marshal Carl Peas was on site to assist. Peas completed the course in October. “All cars that came through the inspection had at least one mistake,” said Peas. “The most common mistakes were the placement of the seats and the tightness of the seatbelts.”
  If you missed yesterday’s inspection, there are other opportunities for you to have your child’s safety seat checked. Please contact MFRD Administration Monday through Friday at 615-893-1422 or Headquarters on the weekend at 615-849-2661 for more information.

MFRD Gives Commendations to Four Personnel for Life Saving Efforts

  Four Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department personnel received commendations letters from Chief Cumbey Gaines today for their “life saving efforts.”
  In December, Captain Nora Smith, Driver Randy Shaw, and Firefighters Clay Malone and David Frost responded to a first responder call for an infant that was choking and having difficulty breathing.
  The crew performed back blows and chest thrusts, relieving the obstruction and returning breathing to the infant. Because of their efforts, the infant is alive and well.
  “Although it is not uncommon for firefighters to save a life during a day’s work, we believe that it does not need to go unnoticed,” read the letter from Gaines. “Thank you for your hard work and dedication to this department, and for representing the department with professionalism and unmatched service excellence. I could not be more proud.”

Pictured L to R: Deputy Chief Roger Toombs, Firefighter Clay Malone, Driver Randy Shaw, Captain/Shift Inspector Nora Smith, Firefighter David Frost, Chief Cumbey Gaines, Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan, and Assistant Chief Allen Swader.		Pictured L to R: Firefighter Clay Malone, Driver Randy Shaw, Captain/Shift Inspector Nora Smith, and Firefighter David Frost.

 MFRD Takes Home Three Awards from 9th Annual TUFF Challenge

  The 9th Annual Tennessee Ultimate Fire Fighter Challenge at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy September 29 netted MFRD three awards.  Training Coordinator Nicole Miller placed second in the Women’s Individual Competition. MFRD’s Professional teams brought home two honors: second and third place.  Here is the story along with photos of the MFRD winners. 

State Farm presents Safe Neighbor Grant check to MFRD

  State Farm Vice President of Operations Jeff Shay presented a $14,500 "BIG" check to Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Chief Cumbey Gaines July 31.
   The check represented Safe Neighbor grant funds awarded to MFRD in December 2011.
   MFRD used the grant funds to purchase an emergency rescue boat for the department's Water Rescue Team. The boat was also unveiled at the presentation, attended by several MFRD personnel, State Farm representatives, and city/state dignitaries.

 

MFRD announces new Special Events Team

  A new Special Events Team has been formed by Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department to attend local public events and provide outreach for the department In an effort to promote the city’s new Service Excellence initiative, Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department has formed a new Special Events Team to engage the community by educating the public on fire and life safety issues.  Learn more about the Special Events Team.