Provo Fire Department merging with Fire Department in Lockesburg

The Provo Volunteer Fire Department announced Monday that it will be merging with the Lockesburg Volunteer Fire Department in an effort to continue offering fire suppression services to the residents of the Promo community.

Provo Fire Chief Emmy Bailey stated the merger will allow the department to upgrade their trucks and equipment. She said they are also planning to build a new fire station in the Provo community to better serve the area.

According to Provo Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Harberson-Smith, the Provo Volunteer Fire Department currently has four firefighters living in and serving the Provo community. She said the merger will allow the department to put a new motor in the rescue truck.

Harberson-Smith reported the Lockesburg Volunteer Fire Department will help Provo recruit more people who live in the Provo area to help cut down on the response time. She said the current response time from Lockesburg is about 10 minutes. Harberson-Smith said volunteer firefighters are required to attend weekly meetings and training is mandatory.

Harberson-Smith said the only other option would be to shut the Provo department down. She stated the fire department was important to the community because it helps keeps property insurance rates down.
Bailey said the community building will continue to belong to the community and governed by a community board. She also stated the Provo Kids Rodeo will continue to provide funds for the operations and upkeep of the community building.