Request for Bid

The Southern Stone County Fire Protection District is accepting sealed bids for fire apparatus, a tanker/tender.

Specifications can be obtained by clicking here.

Bids are to be sealed and marked on the outside of envelope with “sealed bid for tanker”,

Bids will be accepted until July 17, 2013 at 4:30 PM

Bids will be opened at the next regular board meeting.

All bids are to be sent to:

Southern Stone County
Fire Protection District
10965 East State Hwy. 76
Branson West, Mo. 65737

If any other information is needed, contact the district office at the above address or by calling 417-272-1510.

Southern Stone County Fire Protection District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

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Summertime Fire Safety in Southern Stone County

By Mark Newsom, Public Information Assistant

Each year the citizens of Southern Stone County, Missouri look forward to summer vacations with their families, camping, family reunions, picnics, and of course, the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires, injuries, and property damage due to fireworks and outdoor grilling. If you take note of a few fire safety tips and follow some basic instructions, everyone can enjoy a safe summer in 2013.

General Tips on Summer Fire Prevention

• Cigarette butts are the #1 item thrown from moving vehicles. In the early spring and summer here in the Ozarks, the roadsides are highly susceptible to fire due to dormant grass and fallen leaves. With a slight breeze and a simple flick of a lit cigarette out of a moving car can set an entire roadside ablaze. Refrain from throwing lit items from your vehicle. Southern Stone County Fire Protection District responds to hundreds of brush fire calls each year. Not all reported fires are caused by a cigarette being launched from a moving vehicle. Over the years we've seen such instances where an unattended trash fire spread, a transformer on a power pole explodes, or other structural related instances caused the brush fire. If we all work together, we can help minimize property damage.

Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
  
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
  
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill.
  
• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
  
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Charcoal grills
  Purchase the proper starter fluid and store the can out of reach of children, and away
  from heat sources.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
• Propane grills
  Check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.
• If you determine your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
• Use only equipment with the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
  
  Always make sure that the grill is properly turned off or coals are completely extinguished before leaving the grill unattended.

Fireworks Safety - Fourth of July

• First and foremost, we encourage everyone to opt into going to a public fireworks display rather than buying fireworks for use at home. In most cases, far better fireworks displays can be viewed at no cost to you or with a nominal donation to various organizations, and you can enjoy a professionally produced display without the risk of having something go wrong at your home.
• If you want to have your own fireworks display at your home, please heed the following advice:
• Check with local authorities to see if you are allowed to use fireworks in your specific location; Kimberling City, Lampe, Reeds Spring, etc.
• Always shoot your fireworks in an area free of debris, far away from structures and dry grassy areas. Alsways keep a 5 gallon bucket of water or a charged garden hose ready in case of a fire or mishap.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Sparklers seem safe, but the truth is, they can burn up to 2,000 Degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Light fireworks one at a time and never fire them toward other people or structures.

See more photos in the Photo Gallery

See Incident Archives here