Fire department trains on high rises
Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services personnel recently attended a high-rise conference in West Memphis to study about fighting fires in tall buildings.
Pine Bluff is home to a new high rise — the Saracen Casino Hotel — on Saracen Resort Drive near the old Pines Mall. It stands 14 stories and features an array of new fire safety technology. The building is slated to open later this year, casino officials have said.
In West Memphis, a 24-story casino hotel was erected at Southland Casino several years ago, and firefighters there have spent time learning how to respond if a blaze breaks out, according to a news release.
Pine Bluff Fire Capt. Juan Ventress, Lt. Kevin Chapmon and Lt. Larry Murray attended the conference.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“The first day covered strategies and tactics ranging from residential homes to high-rise fires showing how to utilize high energy styles of leadership and command on and off the fireground,” Murray said.
Murray said the second day “consisted of standpipe operations at a neighboring hotel, where we learned proper advancement of high-rise packs to the fire floor — this allowed crews to flow water at Southland’s parking garage, simulating multiple cars that could possibly catch fire.”
Murray called the event “very informative, giving us knowledge to bring back to Pine Bluff to be better prepared.”
In other department news, firefighters responded to a total of 491 incident calls in July, up from 446 in June, according to the latest department statistics.
Emergency medical responses represented the most calls at 296, down from 311 in June.
There were three structure fires reported in July, up from two in June.
Vehicle accidents with injury totaled 20 in July, up from 15 in June, and there were five vehicle fires, down from eight in June.
The number of brush fires rose to 12 in July from just one in June.
Toys for Tots conduct literacy event
Toys for Tots is hosting a literacy program through Operation Turn the Page! in August. The literacy program is seeking volunteers and financial support.
“Every penny you contribute to our Toys for Tots Literacy Program goes directly to providing books and other resources to children in need — not overhead or administrative costs — or salaries — just possibilities packed into their backpacks as they start the school year,” according to the news release.
Thanks to supporters, hundreds of children in Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties are discovering that every page opens a door to new adventures, dreams, and possibilities, according to the release.
Last spring, supporters helped Toys for Tots Local Literacy Program be first in the nation during the Spring Literacy Drive. This propelled the donation of more than 1,300 books to area libraries, serving as incentives to youth, 0-18, to get involved in the 2025 summer reading programs.
Also, more than 1,000 books were delivered to children through youth organizations such as The Call and The Children’s Advocacy Center and at community events such as the Rison Craft Fair, Fordyce Cotton Belt Festival, and the Jefferson County Foster Care Kids Festival.
More than 1,000 books will be delivered to youth at Christmas time. Also, this summer, the agency helped dozens of children get ready for school by donating backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators, art kits, and other school supplies to those in need.
Individuals, groups or businesses that would like more information on how to participate with Toys for Tots Campaign serving Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties, should visit pine.bluff.ar@toysfortots.org.
To donate financially, checks or money orders can be made out to Toys for Tots and sent to TfT Coordinator Matthew Yarnell, P.O. Box 199, Rison, AR 71665, or dropped off at the Cleveland County Herald Office or Rison United Methodist Church. You can also donate to the local campaign at https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org.