Lone Oak fire chief outlines goals

As the new chief of the Lone Volunteer Fire Department, Josh Partin said he hopes to grow the department's numbers and increase the training of volunteers already involved.

A lifetime Lone Oak resident, Partin said he was convinced by a friend to join the department 12 years ago and has loved every minute since.

"I just love helping out the community," he said. "It's nice knowing somebody's going to be there when you call."

Considering the department's small size, Partin said he plans to change the way it is organized in reference to officers, which were previously greater in number than non-ranking members. He is adding an assistant chief position to handle paperwork and the business side of running the department and is reducing the number of captains to one.

Joey Rutherford is Lone Oak's new assistant chief, and Chris Fiske is serving as the department's training captain.

Partin said he would like for as many members as possible to go through the 360-hour Firefighter 1 training course, but realizes most volunteers have paying jobs, families and other commitments that prevent them from doing so.

His goal is to have the entire department complete the 60-hour basic firefighting course to increase the members' versatility. Currently the department has more members trained in rope rescue than actual firefighters, which could pose a problem if a fire occurs and rope team members are the only volunteers available to respond.

"I want everyone to be able to do all the jobs," said Partin. "When [the department] gets bigger it can get more segregated."

He said Lone Oak funds all training for department members, and possible options range from a first-responder course providing training in medical assistance, to pump operation or rope technician courses.

"We'll train you in anything you'll be willing to go through and have the time to go through," said Partin.

The department meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. and is always accepting new members. Partin said previous experience is unnecessary for new volunteers, who are asked to attend two meetings before the department votes on whether to make the potential firefighter a member.

He said the group's weekly meetings typically last around two hours and he understands when members have work or other obligations that occasionally prevent their attendance.

"We're pretty lenient as long as they're not missing training for no reason," said Partin.

For volunteers under age 18, the department also has a junior division led by Fiske.

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