By Cathy Higgins
LITTLE RIVER, Ala. — The north Baldwin community of Little River has never had its own fire department. But that could change this fall. Thanks to several residents of the 305-member community, efforts are under way to establish the Little River Volunteer Fire Department.
“Chief Leroy Boone and I have been working on making this a reality since the end of July,” said Little River VFD Assistant Chief Larry Kiper.
Alabama House Rep. Harry Shiver explained that has consisted of following a 10-step legal process that included training with the Alabama Volunteer Firefighters Association, which he funded for the group.
“They’ve gone through about six or eight of those steps,” he said.
“But we first had to be accepted by the Baldwin County Firefighters Association,” Kiper said. “They were welcomed to see us, and everybody got behind us.”
Kiper explained that once officially established, the VFD will provide emergency response that has traditionally been provided by its neighbors to the north.
“We’ve been on the watch of Beat One out of Monroe County,” he said.
Established Baldwin fire departments have pitched in to help get the endeavor off the ground.
“We got a truck donated by Stapleton Firefighters,” Kiper said.
Bay Minette Police Chief Phil Bryars said he would be glad to offer help, including equipment or training.
“They are a very important role,” he said of volunteer fire departments. “The majority of the county is protected by volunteer fire departments — 80 percent.”
Kiper said that while the department finalizes its legal steps to become an official entity, efforts are under way to create a facility.
“We are also in the process of looking for 2 acres of land for our fire department’s permanent address on (Alabama) Highway 59 in Little River,” he said. “We are seeking this land because the Alabama Red Cross is looking to place a climate control disaster relief building, to house disaster relief supplies. Along with the required buildings for the fire department, we are looking to place a helicopter pad for South Flight to get anyone in need to an emergency facility as quickly as possible.”
In addition, the non-profit department Is collecting tax-deductible donations and planning fundraisers to keep operational.
“We’ll try to build our funds up,” he said.
According to Kiper, the department could be certified and ready for operation by early October.
