03/23/2026
Over the last week, the Versailles Rural Fire Protection District responded to 24 calls for service, which is over a 100 percent increase in our average weekly call volume. Multiple factors caused this increase, but none more than the unseasonably warm and dry weather conditions. Over 125 man hours were spent on fire related incidents alone. Those 125 plus hours don’t include the dozens of hours spent responding to motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies and staging of apparatus and personnel for coverage while units were working other incidents.
Over this time period we responded to 9 natural cover fires, 2 structure fires, 1 vehicle fire, 3 motor vehicle accidents and 9 medical emergencies. 9 of these calls were mutual aid requests from our neighboring departments and 12 of these calls overlapped incidents we were actively working.
Additionally, 3 personnel and 1 engine had the honor to es**rt the remains of retired Columbia, MO Fire Dept. Captain Billy Hurt, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty while working crash rescue at a dirt track race in Texas.
We must thank our great mutual aid partners, Morgan County 911 and Mid-Mo Ambulance District for the services and support they provide.
The volunteer fire service comprises over 85 percent of fire departments in the United States and our area is no different. VRFPD has an ALL-VOLUNTEER staff of over 45 firefighters, and if it wasn’t for the dedication of our volunteers and the community support we receive, these calls for service would likely go unanswered.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you want to help your neighbors, consider joining your local fire department.
“Service Before Self”
