05/26/2026
Monday was Memorial Day—warm, windy, and clear. At the Agra Cemetery, members of the American Legion were conducting their ceremony, honoring those who served. At the same time, just across the street, smoke began to rise from a residential structure fire. The Agra Fire Department responded quickly and realized help was needed.
And it arrived, in the form of Kirwin FD, Phillipsburg FD, and Kensington FD.
I watched for hours as crews worked through the incident. Hose lines were deployed, foam was used, and firefighters moved through a cycle of suppression, overhaul, and containment using every tool available—axes, chainsaws, and continuous water application.
I know I often speak about our firefighters, and some may feel they hear about it too much. But I will continue to acknowledge their work because it matters. These are volunteer firefighters. There is no obligation requiring them to respond. Yet time after time, when the call comes in, they leave their homes, families, and holidays to answer it. These are the type of men that took the time to rescue the American Flag on the house.
There is a misconception that volunteers are less trained or less capable than full-time personnel. In reality, commitment and professionalism are not defined by pay status. They are defined by preparation, discipline, and dedication. In rural communities especially, it is often volunteers who carry the weight of emergency response with consistency and resolve.
My thoughts are with the families who lost property and personal belongings in this fire. Even when no lives are lost, the loss of a home and the memories tied to it is significant. These are not just possessions—they are parts of people’s lives that cannot be replaced.
//Respectfully//
Phillips County Emergency Management.
