Tri-County Fire Protection District

06/02/2026

🚒 Ladder 1359: A Valuable Asset to Tri-County Fire Protection District 🚒

Tri-County Fire Protection District’s Ladder 1359 is a 1991 Pierce Arrow aerial apparatus that has proudly served the district since April 2012. Prior to joining Tri-County, the truck served with the 🇺🇸 United States Army at Rock Island Arsenal, supporting emergency response operations on the installation.

Ladder 1359 was acquired to replace an aging 1985 aerial apparatus that had become increasingly difficult and costly to maintain. For a rural volunteer fire district, securing a reliable aerial truck represented a significant advancement in both firefighter safety 👨‍🚒 and emergency response capability.

The apparatus was obtained at no cost through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Program and the Department of Defense’s Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO). Through this program, Tri-County was able to place a critical piece of firefighting equipment into service without the substantial financial burden 💰 associated with purchasing a new aerial apparatus.

🔥 Apparatus Specifications

🚒 1991 Pierce Arrow Aerial Apparatus
📏 100-Foot Aerial Ladder
💦 1,000 GPM Elevated Master Stream
🚰 Waterous 1,000 GPM Fire Pump
💧 300-Gallon Water Tank
🧯 800 Feet of 4-Inch Large Diameter Hose
🪜 121 Feet of Ground Ladders

These features provide firefighters with multiple options for fire suppression, rescue operations, ventilation, and elevated access during emergency incidents.

🌊 More Than Just a Ladder Truck

While aerial apparatus are often associated with rescuing occupants from upper floors of buildings, Ladder 1359 has proven its versatility in a wide variety of emergencies.

During several flood-water rescue incidents 🌊, the aerial ladder has been used to safely reach and rescue individuals stranded on vehicles and in otherwise inaccessible locations. Its 100-foot reach provides firefighters with a safe and effective means of accessing victims when swift-moving or rising water makes traditional rescue methods unsafe.

🏠 Protecting Lives and Property

Ladder 1359 has also played a vital role in structure fire operations throughout the district. The elevated master stream 💦 has been instrumental in controlling large fires and preventing extension to nearby structures. By delivering substantial volumes of water from an elevated position, firefighters can better protect surrounding properties and limit fire spread during critical incidents.

🤝 Serving Our Community

For Tri-County Fire Protection District, Ladder 1359 represents far more than a piece of apparatus. It stands as a testament to the value of federal excess property programs and the opportunities they provide rural fire departments to acquire life-saving equipment that would otherwise be financially out of reach.

Whether it’s flowing water from above 🔥, protecting neighboring structures 🏠, or rescuing someone stranded by flood waters 🌊, Ladder 1359 continues to be a dependable and valuable asset to Tri-County Fire Protection District and the citizens we proudly serve.

05/15/2026

SCHEDULE UPDATE: Due to weather, this work has been postponed to a later date.

ATTN Pulaski County: Starting May 18, during daylight hours, Monday through Friday, Route 133 will be reduced to one lane, with flaggers directing traffic through the work zone, for resurfacing. More routes to follow!

Learn more: https://www.modot.org/node/89037

05/13/2026

🚨 INCIDENT ALERT 🚨

5/12/2026 - 7:15 p.m.

Squad 1382 and Boat 1389 are currently responding to a Water Rescue in the 31000 Block of Route 66, providing automatic aid to Hazelgreen Fire Protection District. Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District and Hazelgreen Fire Protection District units are also responding.

🔔 Update - 7:25 p.m.
Squad 1382 and Boat 1389 has arrived on scene.

🔔 Update - 7:35 p.m.
Chief 1801, Brush 1971, and Boat 1989 has arrived on scene. Chief 1801 has established "Route 66 Command"

🔔 Update - 7:37 p.m.
Boat 1389 is in the water actively searching.

🔔 Update - 7:44 p.m.
Individuals have been located.

🔔 Update - 7:58 p.m.
Chief 1801 has terminated command, and all Tri-County Fire Protection District, Hazelgreen Fire Protection District, & Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District units are back in service.

05/11/2026

TCFPD April 2026 Incident Statistics

The Tri-County Fire Protection District responded to a total of 38 incidents during the month of April 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 171 incidents since January 1.

05/04/2026

Thank you to the Pulaski County Mo NG911 for the Cinnamon Rolls to celebrate International Firefighter's Day!

Captain Thomas and Firefighter Nielson graciously accepted the cinnamon rolls this afternoon.

05/04/2026

This International Firefighters' Day, the Tri-County Fire Protection District recognizes the firefighters who train, respond, and serve with purpose every day. Thank you to all those who have answered the call to service.

05/03/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 3, 2026

TRI-COUNTY RESPONDS TO FIRST-ALARM RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRE ON HILLHOUSE ROAD

Richland, MO – On Saturday, May 2, 2026, at approximately 12:51 p.m., the Tri-County Fire Protection District was dispatched by Pulaski County Mo NG911 to a reported first-alarm residential structure fire in the 500 block of Hillhouse Road in Richland. Automatic aid was provided by the Hazelgreen Fire Protection District and the Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District.

The reporting party advised that smoke was visible coming from the windows of the residence. While responding, Chief Hobbs confirmed visible smoke and flames emanating from the structure.

Fire suppression operations were carried out by personnel from the Tri-County Fire Protection District, Hazelgreen Fire Protection District and the Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District. After the main body of fire was extinguished, crews conducted salvage and overhaul operations throughout the structure.

The incident was brought under control at approximately 1:23 p.m.

The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety – State Fire Marshal’s Office and were determined to be accidental.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

The Tri-County Fire Protection District responded with the following apparatus: Engine-Tanker 1351, Pumper-Tanker 1353, Rescue-Engine 1381, and Squad 1382.

The Tri-County Fire Protection District extends sincere appreciation to the following agencies for their prompt and professional assistance:

• Hazelgreen Fire Protection District (Engine 1851, Brush 1871)
• Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District (Engine 1951)
• Crocker Fire Protection District (Station Captain 1503)
• Pulaski County Mo Ambulance District (Medic 23)
• Pulaski County Mo NG911
• Richland Police Department

04/27/2026

04/27/2026

Timeline of Line of Severe Storms Today

At approximately 3:00 p.m. a line of supercells tries to become linear as it approaches Pulaski, Camden, and Laclede counties. Hazards include damaging wind gust 70-80 mph. Large hail up to baseballs may be possible, and a threat for a strong tornado or two increases.

Ensure you are Weather Aware! Have multiple ways to receive warnings, and follow official sources such as US National Weather Service Springfield Missouri.

04/27/2026

What is Hyper-Reach?
- Hyper-Reach is a mass notification system used to alert those in Pulaski County, Missouri of severe weather events, emergencies, & other critical incidents.

How Does Hyper-Reach Work?
- Anyone that signs up for Hyper-Reach can receive emergency notifications via text message, phone calls, & email.

What About Tornado Watches & Tornado Warnings?
- When the National Weather Service issues a tornado watch or tornado warning, Hyper-Reach will automatically notify you. Tornado watches & tornado warnings may not be countywide, so even if you’re in Pulaski County, you may not receive a Hyper-Reach watch or warning if you are in an area of the county where a threat is not present.

Is Hyper-Reach a Better Alternative to Storm Sirens?
- Storm sirens are designed to be heard when you are OUTDOORS, not indoors. Also, some areas of Pulaski County do not have storm sirens. Hyper-Reach & storm sirens are both public safety tools, but no one should rely solely on these systems to be weather aware. In addition to using Hyper-Reach & listening for storm sirens, you should monitor weather conditions, monitor official weather reports, & have an emergency plan in place BEFORE an emergency occurs.

How Much Does Hyper-Reach Cost?
- Hyper-Reach is free. All you have to do is sign up and select your notification settings – text, phone calls, email, or any combination of the three.

How Can I Get Hyper-Reach?
- Download the app, or sign up at http://hyper-reach.com/mopulaskisignup.html.