Approximately a year after beginning discussions regarding upgrades to the Town of Sumrall’s fire and police departments, headway has been made on those endeavors, most recently with living quarters at the Sumrall Fire Department being added to support up to two paid firefighters.
That decision, which was made at a recent meeting of the Sumrall Board of Aldermen, will give that department – which is located at 54 Pine Street – dedicated living space for firefighters for the first time in its history.
“Last year, we were able to expand the footprint of the fire department building,” Mayor Joel Lofton said. “Basically, we were able to put a shell up that we hoped we would be able to build out, as a couple of bunk rows with facilities for firemen.
“This year, we’ve actually achieved that goal; we’ve been able to build out two rooms with restroom facilities, space for washers, dryers, sinks. So when we’re able to put those paid officers in, (that will be a great help to them).”
Lofton said the additional space will offer firefighters amenities that were previously unavailable to them.
“Now they actually have a space to stay, and after a response, if they need to get cleaned up, they have a place to shower and clean up and rest in between calls,” he said. “It’s a tremendous help, because for the past few years, the firemen who have had to stay through a shift, they’ve been actually having to bunk in a room that’s half kitchen and half office.
“So this is going to free back up the office space that is required to keep all the documentation for the department, and give them some dedicated space where they can get some rest to be ready to answer those calls.”
Although the town does have paid fire responders on days throughout the week, those firefighters are not full-time employees. Currently, there are two firefighters on rotating shifts, who, in cooperation with Lamar County, work a portion of their time in Sumrall and the remaining hours at other stations for the county at other times.
“Right now, we’re continuing with part-time personnel in the fire department, but we’re looking toward the future,” Lofton said. “Where we’re able to make these improvements now, the resources in the future – now that we have the physical facilities prepared – we may be able to direct those resources toward personnel.
“(Hopefully), we can increase the number of hours that we have for paid fire personnel manning that station.”
In addition to the fire department upgrades, last year town officials were able to complete some similar work at the Sumrall Police Department, including an awning and a drive-through large enough to accommodate multiple vehicles at a time.
“You take a (rainy day), if someone needs to come visit with an officer, file a report or do any of those things, it’s really hard to get in and out and not get absolutely soaked,” Lofton said before that work was completed. “And then, on the officers’ side, on a day like (that), they don’t need to come into the station in the morning and get soaked and have to work like that in a wet uniform all day.
“So it’s just an outside improvement on their building (that makes) it a little bit better.”
