Harry "Lefty" Boland, President

Francis Aholt, Vice President

Norma Brinker, Secretary/Treasurer

Darrell Barrett, Director

George Gerner, Director

Bob Ley, Director

Al Patke, Director

Chief Bill Halmich, Director

Dep. Chief John Borgmann, Director

Asst. Chief Mark Skornia, Director

Firefighter Francis Manhart, Director

Firefighter Don Hahne, Director

The Board of Directors consists of eleven (11) members. Six (6) are elected by the association membership at the annual meeting. The Chief of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company is director by virtue of his office and appoints four (4) additional members of the Fire Company to the Board. This group tends to all affairs of the association and stands ready to answer any questions members may have.

The members of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company respond to all alarms in the rural area with apparatus from two (2) stations: Station Five on Highway YY at Highway A, and Headquarters Station One in the City of Washington. There are approximately 85 active firefighters in the Washington Volunteer Fire Company, a good portion of whom live in the rural area. The Fire Company also has written mutual aid agreements with 20 other fire departments, including the entire Franklin and Warren County area.

(Example: house, mobile home, undeveloped land or property)

(Example: farms, homes with outbuildings, barns, sheds, machinery, homes with crops and acreage)

Regardless of size (Example: businesses, factories, schools, or churches)

This fee structure was approved at the February 26, 1994 membership and board meeting. Dues are established by the Board of Directors based on the financial needs of the association. In order to avoid non-member fees, each livable dwelling shall have a membership. For example, a house with a mobile home adjacent to it, even if on the same parcel of land would constitute two (2) memberships, one for the dwelling, and one for the mobile home.

It is also advisable to obtain a membership for raw acreage as well, since a grass fire would also generate non-member fees if the property owner were not a subscriber. Annual billing takes place in July, with bills payable by mail, or at Fire Headquarters at 200 E. Fourteenth St.

You may sign up with association at Headquarters Station One, 200 E. 14^th St. , 390-1020, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A one time $20 initiation fee plus one year’s dues, based on your property type, is required.

The W.R.F.A. had one of the first Emergency Numbering Systems in the state of Missouri and served as a model system for years. Upgrades to the system occur with property development and changes by the Franklin County Addressing Authority. Rural individuals should have their fire number clearly posted by the telephone in case of an emergency.

The Washington Fire Department responds immediately to all calls for help within its response area. If during the investigation phase it is determined that the property owner is not a member of the W.R.F.A., fees are assessed based on Missouri Law, which is $100 for the response plus $500 per hour pro-rated on fifteen minute intervals for the duration the fire department is on the scene. All interpretations are referred to legal counsel for review. Non-compliance of the statute is prosecutable. For this reason, membership in the W.R.FA. is more cost-effective.

Yes, the Washington Fire Department asks that when you plan or improve your property that you keep in mind the possibility of a fire or rescue response and build access roads, drives, cattle crossings, and bridges to accommodate fire trucks, tankers, and rescue units. A 15 ft. X 15 ft. passageway is recommended. It is also helpful to space buildings well apart and provide an open turn-around area for water tankers, or even a nearby accessible water source, which can be used in all weather conditions. Once adequate access is built, remember to provide adequate maintenance, including brush removal on your property and around your fire number sign. Should you decide to sell your present property, please inform us, so records can be kept up-to-date, and the new owners contacted. If you are moving to another property in the rural area, also advise us, so your paid membership can be transferred to the new property. If you have questions regarding your property, please contact a firefighter or director.