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The Hopkins County Commissioners Court recognized the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department for its service to the community. County Fire Chief Andy Endsley (front, right) presented the proclamation to Miller Grove VFD Captain/Treasurer Ray Sparks (front, left). Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
Recognition
On Monday, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court recognized the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department for its service to Hopkins County.
The department was founded in 1976. Miller Grove ISD Ag instructor Ernie Weaver served as the first chief of the department. Weaver, his Ag students and members of the community used CB radios to respond to all calls for assistance.
The department received its first apparatus, a one-ton chassis cab truck with a 250-gallon tank purchased by the Hopkins County Commissioners Court with Octave Woods serving as Pct. 1 Commissioner. Chief Weaver was required to attend a CPR course to qualify as a recipient of the truck for the Miller Grove VFD. The truck was housed at the Miller Grove ISD Ag shop, which resulted in lowering the school district’s insurance rate.
Miller Grove VFD now has its own facility, a fire station with living quarters and a full kitchen, and five apparatuses.
There are 13 members — Chief Justin Block, Captain/Treasurer Ray Sparks, Training Coordinator Doug Lewis, Assistant Treasurer Bob Flecker, Head of Maintenance Spencer Wicks, Secretary Dianne Wicks, and firefighters Wade Honicutt, Trey Lester, Steven Mayfield, Jimeray Hoffman, Bryan Thorton and Jay Hoffman and Kyla Block as Junior Cadet.
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court urges all citizens to applaud the outstanding efforts of the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department, to recognize the dedication in their perseverance to provide protection for each citizen and their property, and offer heartfelt appreciation for the servanthood of each one.
In accepting the proclamation from Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley and the commissioners, Captain/Treasurer Ray Sparks said, “We’re just proud to serve our community. My father was a member of the department my entire youth. It’s almost a way of life for me. Everybody that’s on the fire department now, we’re all in one accord. We’re there to serve the community. We’re just honored to be able to come out and help.”